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Cardiac radiofrequency ablation tracking using electrical impedance tomography.
Duc M Nguyen1,2, Pierre Qian3, Tony Barry3
1Department of Biomedical Engineering, Hanoi University of Science and Technology, Hanoi, Vietnam.
Biomedical Physics & Engineering Express
|January 13, 2021
Summary
Electrical Impedance Tomography (EIT) offers real-time imaging for Radiofrequency (RF) cardiac ablation. Optimizing EIT with existing electrodes improves lesion tracking accuracy, enhancing safety and efficacy during procedures.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Medical Imaging
- Electrophysiology
Background:
- Real-time lesion visualization is crucial for Radiofrequency (RF) cardiac electrosurgery safety and efficacy.
- Current methods lack accessible, high-speed imaging of the ablation course.
- Accurate lesion information during ablation is critically needed.
Purpose of the Study:
- To optimize Electrical Impedance Tomography (EIT) for real-time cardiac ablation monitoring using existing electrodes.
- To investigate the impact of signal sensitivity and thresholds on lesion tracking accuracy.
- To develop and utilize a novel cardiac phantom for validating EIT capabilities.
Main Methods:
- Utilized existing cardiac electrophysiology (EP) electrodes for EIT measurements.
- Developed a ventricle-shaped gel phantom simulating physiological conditions (fluid flow, conductivity).
- Optimized electrode configurations (8 ECG, 4 coronary sinus, 4 RF catheter) and measurement parameters (77 measurements, 20% error).
Main Results:
- Removing low signal sensitivity measurements improved EIT image quality.
- Multiple signal thresholds are necessary for accurate, time-course lesion tracking.
- Optimal sensitivity and dynamic tracking achieved with 77 measurements and a 20% error margin.
- Higher thresholds were effective for early, smaller lesions; lower thresholds for later stages.
Conclusions:
- Optimized EIT provides a significant advancement for real-time lesion visualization in cardiac ablation.
- Patient-specific thresholds can be determined through pre-surgical planning.
- This technique offers a major improvement over the current lack of real-time feedback in electrophysiology suites.
