Sequoia 512 system

Transthoracic echocardiography was performed in mice 4 weeks after surgery using a Sequoia 512 system with a 17L-5 probe (Siemens, Germany). Mice were anesthetized with inhalational isoflurane at a concentration of 1.5%. Under M-mode, we measured the posterior wall thickness (LVPWd), end-diastolic diameter (LVEDd), and end-systolic diameter (LVESd). LV fractional shortening (FS) was calculated as follows: LVFS (%) = (LVEDd—LVESd) / LVEDd × 100.

Cardiac function was evaluated in mice by echocardiography using a Sequoia 512 system with a 15L-8 probe (Siemens, Germany). Mice were anaesthetized with inhalational isoflurane at a concentration of 1.5%, and two-dimensional parasternal short-axis images of the left ventricle (LV) were obtained at the level of the papillary muscles. From M-mode tracings, the LV end-diastolic diameter (LVEDD), LV end-systolic diameter (LVESD), and LV fractional shortening (LVFS) were measured.

Transthoracic echocardiography was performed with a Sonos 4500 and a 15-6 L MHz transducer (Philips, the Netherlands) or a Sequoia 512 system with a 17L-5 probes (Siemens, Germany). Mice were weighed, anesthetized with 2.5% avertin (0.06 ml/10 g), and settled in the left decubitus or supine position. Good two-dimensional short-axis views of the left ventricle were obtained for guided M-mode measurements of the left ventricular posterior wall thickness (LVPWd), left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVEDd), and left ventricular end-systolic diameter (LVESd). Left ventricular fractional shortening (LVFS) was calculated: LVFS = (LVEDd–LVESd)/LVEDd × 100.

Four types of real-time US equipment were used in the participating centers, which included the Sequoia 512 system (Acuson, Mountain View, CA, USA), the Logiq E9 (GE Healthcare, Milwaukee, WI, USA), the Aplio™ 500 ultrasound machine (Toshiba Medical Systems Co. Ltd, Otawara, Japan), and the Hi Vision Preirus ultrasonography system (Hitachi Medical (Guangzhou) Co., Ltd., Guangzhou, China). High-resolution linear probes (6–12 MHz) were employed to monitor and guide the biopsies, pre-ablation evaluation, ablation procedures and follow-up.
The RFA system of the VIVA RF generator (VIVA RF generator, STARmed, Goyang, Korea) was applied in the study. An 18-gauge, monopolar, modified, internal-cooled RFA electrode (VIVA, STARmed, Goyang, Korea) with a 1-cm active tip and a 7-cm shaft length was applied, which was specifically developed for ablation of thyroid nodules^{17 (link)}.
The MWA system used in the study the KY-2000 2450 MHz microwave system (KY-2000, Kangyou Medical, Nanjing, China). A 16-gauge, Teflon-coated, internal-cooled microwave antenna with a 3-mm active tip and a 10-cm shaft length was applied, which was specifically modified for the ablation of thyroid nodules^{14 (link), 15 (link)}.