Impact of Intrapericardial Fluid on Lesion Size During Epicardial Radiofrequency Ablation: A Computational Study.

ABSTRACT: Epicardial RFA is often required when ventricular tachyarrhythmias originate from epicardial or subepicardial substrates that cannot be effectively ablated endocardially. Our objective was to evaluate the impact of intrapericardial fluid accumulation on the lesion size in the myocardium and the extent of thermal damage to adjacent structures, particularly the lung. An in silico model of epicardial RFA was developed, featuring an irrigated-tip catheter placed horizontally on the epicardium. A 50 W-30 s RF pulse was simulated. Temperature distributions and resultant thermal lesions in both the myocardium and lung were computed. An increase in pericardial space from 2.5 mm to 4.5 mm resulted in a reduction of myocardial lesion depth by up to 1 mm, while the volume of lung damage decreased fro

SUBMITTER: Cuenca-Dacal L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12387105 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature