Computer simulations of an irrigated radiofrequency cardiac ablation catheter and experimental validation by infrared imaging

Abstract

Purpose: To develop and validate a three-dimensional (3-D) computer model based on accurate geometry of an irrigated cardiac radiofrequency (RF) ablation catheter with microwave radiometry capability, and to test catheter performance. Methods: A computer model was developed based on CAD geometry of a RF cardiac ablation catheter prototype to simulate electromagnetic heating, heat transfer, and computational fluid dynamics (blood flow, open irrigation, and natural convection). Parametric studies were performed; blood flow velocity (0-25 cm/s) and irrigation flow (0-40 ml/min) varied, both with perpendicular (PE) and parallel (PA) catheter orientations relative to tissue. Tissue Agar phantom studies were performed under similar conditions, and temperature maps were recorded via infrared camera. Computer model simulations were performed with constant voltage and with voltage adjusted to achieve maximum tissue temperatures of 95-105 C. Results: Model predicted thermal lesion width at 5 W power was 5.8-6.4 mm (PE)/6.5-6.6 mm (PA), and lesion depth was 4.0-4.3 mm (PE)/4.0-4.1 mm (PA). Compared to phantom studies, the mean errors of the computer model were as follows: 6.2 C(PE)/4.3 C (PA) for maximum gel temperature, 0.7 mm (10.9%) (PE)/0.1 mm (0.8%) (PA) for lesion width, and 0.3 mm (7.7%)(PE)/0.7 mm (19.1%) (PA) for lesion depth. For temperature-controlled ablation, model predicted thermal lesion width was 7-9.2 mm (PE)/8.6-9.2 mm (PA), and lesion depth was 4.3-5.5 mm (PE)/3.4-5.4 mm (PA). Conclusions: Computer models were able to reproduce device performance and to enable device evaluation under varying conditions. Temperature controlled ablation of irrigated catheters enables optimal tissue temperatures independent of patient-specific conditions such as blood flow.

Computer modeling of radiofrequency cardiac ablation: 30 years of bioengineering research

“…The studies have reported prediction errors of lesion sizes of from 1 mm [ 31 , 86 ] to 2 mm [31] , with a tendency to better predict depth than width (surface and maximum). A recent meticulous study by Rossman et al [101] on phantom agar even reported slightly minor errors (0.1 − 0.7 mm for lesion width and 0.3 − 0.7 mm for lesion depth). Despite the fact that prediction errors of up to ∼50% have been reported for the maximum width, the computed depths and widths have been within the range of the corresponding experimental values [33] .…”

Three-Phase-Lag Bio-Heat Transfer Model of Cardiac Ablation

“…where u is the velocity vector (m/s), ρ b is the density of blood (kg/m 3 ), p is the blood pressure (Pa), µ is the dynamic viscosity of blood (=2.1 × 10 −3 Pa.s), and F is the body force neglected in this study [43][44][45]. It is noteworthy to mention that Newtonian behavior has been used to model the blood, which is adequate for shear rates >100 s −1 [46,47]. The fluid-structure interaction (FSI) has received significant attention in research related to cardiovascular modeling [48][49][50][51][52][53][54][55].…”

Understanding Lesion Creation Biophysics and Improved Lesion Assessment during Radiofrequency Catheter Ablation. The Perfect Combination to Achieve Durable Lesions in Atrial Fibrillation Ablation

“…Interestingly, no steam pops occurred when the V temp was maintained below 89 °C [ 74 ]. A similar catheter with the capability to adjust irrigation and the power to maintain a targeted tissue temperature exhibited wide but superficial lesions of 7–9.2 mm, and 4.3–5.5 mm, respectively [ 75 ].…”