Toward a Quasi-dynamic Pulsed Field Electroporation Numerical Model for Cardiac Ablation: Predicting Tissue...

Area of Science:

• Biophysics
• Medical Engineering

Background:

• Pulsed field ablation (PFA) is a promising alternative to radiofrequency ablation for treating atrial fibrillation.
• Accurate characterization of irreversible tissue electroporation (IRE) lesions is essential for PFA efficacy.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and validate a quasi-dynamic model for quantifying tissue conductance during PFA.
• To identify regions of irreversible electroporation (IRE) and predict lesion characteristics.

Main Methods:

• A quasi-dynamic model was developed to simulate electrical field diffusion and iteratively update tissue conductance.
• Numerical experiments were conducted using a lasso catheter model with varying pulse amplitudes (1500 V and 3000 V).
• The model generated steady-state tissue conductance maps to identify the irreversible lesion zone.

Main Results:

• The model successfully predicted irreversible lesion size and volume at different pulse amplitudes.
• At 1500 V, the IRE lesion had a surface area of 780 mm² and volume of 1411 mm³.
• At 3000 V, the IRE lesion expanded to 1178 mm² surface area and 2760 mm³ volume, with increased depth penetration.

Conclusions:

• The quasi-dynamic model accurately predicts PFA-induced IRE lesions and lesion penumbra.
• Higher pulse amplitudes result in larger and deeper lesions, confirming the model's predictive capability.
• This model aids in optimizing PFA parameters for effective atrial fibrillation treatment.