<unk>  allows for flexible treatment approaches, including percutaneous, laparoscopic, and open surgical access. Therapy is generally performed with the patient under conscious sedation; however, in cases where intra-procedural pain is problematic a general anesthetic may be used. Ablations can be performed using a single MW antenna or a cluster of three to achieve a greater ablation volume.4 Tumor temperatures during ablation can be measured with a separate thermal couple; tumors are treated to over 60°C to achieve coagulation necrosis. Platforms Currently, there are six<unk>  systems commercially available in the United States. The systems use either a 915 MHz generator (Evident, Covidien, Mansfield, MA; MicrothermX, BSD Medical, Salt Lake City, UT; Avecure, Medwaves, San Diego, CA) or a 2450 MHz generator (Certus 140, Neuwave, Madison, WI; Amica, Hospital Service, Rome, Italy; Acculis MTA, AngioDynamics, Latham, NY). The MW antennas used are straight applicators with active tips ranging in lengths from 0.6 to 4.0 cm. Five of the six available systems require that the antennas are internally cooled with either room-temperature fluid or carbon dioxide to reduce conductive heating and to prevent possible skin damage.5
Microwave ablation
Catheter ablation
Pulsed radiofrequency
Alcohol septal ablation
Radiofrequency ablation
Valvulotomy
Cardiomyoplasty
Sonodynamic therapy