How Does the Dispersive Patch Affect the Efficacy of Radiofrequency Ablation?

Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is a minimally invasive procedure used to treat cardiac arrhythmia. Power plays an important role during the procedure as it generates the heat necessary to ablate the targeted tissue.
We developed a 3D in-silico model based on patient imaging data. A key aspect of our study is the placement of a dispersive patch at various positions on the torso, as the electrode’s location can impact both the effectiveness and safety of the procedure. Proper placement is crucial to ensure optimal current distribution and to minimize any potential risks.
We examine the impact of the patch location on both tissue power dissipation and the overall power dissipation within the torso geometry.
Our results show significant variations in tissue power based on the patch position and orientation. By analyzing these variations, we aim to identify optimal patch place- ments that maximize therapeutic efficacy.