Electrode Model and Simulation of Catheter Ablation of Supraventricular Tachycardia

The high frequency (HF) catheter ablation is the gold standard for the therapy of many cardiac tachyarrhythmias, such as atrioventricular node re-entry tachycardia (AVNRT), atrioventricular re-entry tachycardia (AVRT) or atrial flutter (AFL). The aim of the study was to simulate the HF ablation of AVNRT, AVRT, AFL and its heat propagation in reference to the supplied power with different electrode material and electrode size. The modeling and simulation were performed with the thermal and electromagnetic simulation software CST® (Computer Simulation Technology, Darmstadt). The modeling and simulation were carried out using ablation catheters with 4 mm tip electrode and 8 mm tip electrode with different electrode materials. Both electrode types were made of platinum and gold respectively. For the measurement of the heat propagation in the heart tissue, the catheters were integrated in the Offenburg heart rhythm model. The HF ablation procedures were performed with the 4 mm platinum tip electrode, with an application duration of 45 seconds and a power output of 40 watts. The HF ablation of the atrioventricular node slow pathway produced a maximum temperature of 66.33 °C. The Kent bundle HF ablation in the left atrium achieved a maximum temperature of 67.14 °C. The HF ablation of the right atrial isthmus resulted 65.96 °C. The 8 mm distal platinum tip electrode and a power output of 60 watts reached 72.85 °C. The 8 mm distal gold tip electrode and a power output of 60 watt reached 64.66 °C, due to the improved thermal conductivity of gold. Virtual heart and ablation electrode models allow the static and dynamic simulation of HF ablation with different electrode material and electrode size. The 3D simulation of the temperature profile may be used to optimize the AVNRT, AVRT and AFL HF ablation