Catheter-to-tissue contact angle's effect on lesion formation and characterisation using multichannel bioimpedance
Anh Huyen Ngo1, Minh Thao Hoang1, Phuong Linh Nguyen1
1School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Hanoi University of Science and Technology, Hanoi, Vietnam.
Physiological Measurement
|April 24, 2025
Summary
Radiofrequency catheter ablation efficiency is improved by monitoring catheter-to-tissue angles. Multichannel bioimpedance can detect critical angles affecting cardiac lesion formation, enhancing treatment outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Cardiac Electrophysiology
- Medical Device Technology
Background:
- Radiofrequency (RF) catheter ablation is a key treatment for cardiac arrhythmias.
- Suboptimal ablation efficiency is linked to unmonitored factors, including catheter-tissue contact.
- Optimizing catheter contact is crucial for effective lesion formation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of catheter-to-tissue contact angles on cardiac lesion formation.
- To assess the feasibility of multichannel bioimpedance for characterizing these contact angles.
- To provide insights for improving RF catheter ablation procedures.
Main Methods:
- Developed two in silico simulations using a realistic human model.
- Simulated lesion formation under varying angles, power, and cooling conditions.
- Simulated multichannel bioimpedance measurements using surface electrodes and catheter-based electrodes.
Main Results:
- Catheter angles of 0° and 180° produced significantly different lesions compared to other angles.
- Multichannel bioimpedance successfully distinguished between 0°/180° and other angles.
- Bioimpedance showed a moderate correlation with lesion size at lower ablation powers.
Conclusions:
- Catheter-to-tissue contact angles significantly influence RF ablation lesion outcomes.
- Multichannel bioimpedance is a viable method for detecting critical contact angles.
- This technology can inform cardiologists and potentially improve ablation efficacy.
