Method and apparatus for limiting revascularization to viable tissue

摘要

A method and apparatus for limiting the application of ablation energy to viable myocardial tissue. An ablation energy generator produces a test signal that is applied to the heart muscle. The response of the heart muscle to the test signal is determined and used to analyze the viability of the heart tissue. If the heart muscle is viable, a higher powered ablation pulse may be delivered. If the tissue is not viable, no ablation energy is delivered. In one embodiment of the invention, the test signal is a low voltage, high frequency signal and the impedance of the tissue in response to the test signal is detected to determine tissue viability.