In vitro models to evaluate cardiac pulsed field ablation (PFA) have not been well established. We sought to create a standardized vegetable model and staining protocol for assessing unipolar PFA using a surface electrode.

We exposed potato slabs to unipolar PFA in a saline bath using a 3.5 mm electrode catheter and grounding pad connected to a custom-built high-voltage generator. Lesions were clearly visualized after staining with 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC) using a timed protocol to reveal a necrotic center and a periphery of electroporated cells with intact mitochondria.

Lesion volume increased linearly with increasing voltage and logarithmically with repetitive PFA applications.

The findings observed in this vegetable model using a TTC staining protocol are consistent with findings observed with cardiomyocytes.