Flow Field Analysis in RF Ablation Based on PIV Experiment

Resistant hypertension (RH) is a major healthcare issue, causing cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. In recent years, radiofrequency (RF) ablation to renal sympathetic denervation (RSD) is a new effective method for the treatment of RH. However, the effect of RSD on renal artery blood flow still need further research. In this study, Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) experiment and RF ablation experiment were used to observe the blood flow states in three conditions: no ablation with flow, ablation with no flow, and ablation with flow. The results showed that when the blood flow was 1L/min in renal artery without ablation, it was uniform laminar flow. When the blood was static in renal artery with ablation, there was eddy around the ablation catheter. When the blood flow was 1L/min in renal artery with ablation, the eddy disappeared and the blood flow was uniform laminar flow. Therefore, when the renal artery blood flow is 1L/min, there will be no thrombus and hemolysis in the renal artery due to eddy current and large velocity gradient, which preliminarily verified the safety of the RSD. Keyword: Resistant hypertension; Radiofrequency ablation; Flow field; PIVClinical relevance-When the blood flow of renal artery is 1L/min, there will be no thrombus and hemolysis in renal artery due to eddy current and large velocity gradient during the operation of RF ablation to renal sympathetic denervation.