What is the second phase of cryoablation?

The second phase of cryoablation is characterized by intracellular ice formation. During this phase, once the tissue has reached a sufficiently low temperature, ice crystals begin to form inside the cells. This is critical because it disrupts cellular integrity and function, leading to cell death.

The process generally follows a sequence where initial cooling leads to vascular constriction, followed by the formation of extracellular ice. After this, the temperature continues to drop, resulting in the formation of ice within the cells themselves, which causes significant damage.

Understanding this phase is important because the effectiveness of cryoablation relies on the ability to induce cell death through both extracellular and intracellular freezing processes. The damage incurred during the intracellular ice formation is a pivotal aspect of achieving the therapeutic effects associated with cryoablation, especially in treating various tissue abnormalities.