Evaluation of lesion characteristics and baseline impedance on high-power short-duration radiofrequency catheter ablation using computer simulation.

Abstract

Myocardium baseline impedance (BI) is an important factor in ablation effectiveness. This study examined the performance of low-power and long-duration (LPLD), high-power and short-duration (HPSD) ablation at different BIs by computer simulation. A 3D model of the ablation region was constructed for simulation, and in vitro experiments were performed to validate the simulation. Three ablation power and duration configurations of 30W/30s, 50W/10s, and 90W/5s were used for simulation with BI values of 90, 100, 110, 120, 130, and 140Ω. Roll-off time and ablation volume were measured to evaluate ablation results. The simulation is consistent with the in vitro experiments. When BI is changed from 90 [Formula: see text] to 140 [Formula: see text], the lesion volume over 50°C with BI of 140[Formula: see text] was reduced by 6.3%, 6.7%, and 7.3% for 30W/30s, 50W/10s, and 90W/5s configurations, respectively, and the lesion volume over 100°C was reduced by 62.8%, 49.7%, and 22.5% under 30W/30s, 50W/10s, and 90W/5s, respectively. Simulation results revealed that HPSD (vHPSD) and LPLD ablation were more affected by changes in BI in the lesion volumes over 50°C and 100°C, respectively, and demonstrated that resistive and conductive heating were the main heating effects in HPSD (vHPSD) and LPLD, respectively.