Biophysics Of RF Ablation Flashcards
To transmit a energy to cardiac tissue a _________ must be in place, or the current will not flow
Complete circuit
What delivers energy to the ablation catheter?
RF generator
What is the flow of energy of the complete circuit?
RF generator (smartablate) Ablation catheter Ablation electrode at the tip Cardiac tissue Patient Grounding pad/indifferent electrode Back to RF generator
Grounding pad location
Lower back
Must be completely adhered or can burn patient
Two types of heating produced by RF
Resistive
Conductive
Resistive RF
RF frequency passes from ablation tip into myocardium
The resistance of the myoC caused ions in the tissue to be agitated causing heatI have in the tissue
Initial resistance zone is the hottest area extending 3mm into myoC
Causes tissue death called a lesion
Conductive heating
Expanded area radiating from resistive heating zone
Can extend as far as 7mm
Accounts for the majority of the lesion size
3 primary factors that influence the size of the lesion
Total time RF energy is applied (seconds)
Contact force or amount of pressure caused by tip (grams)
Power, the amount of energy delivered (biggest factor) watts
Temperature reading in RF generator is reflective of
Catheter tip temperature
Actual tissue temp can be 10-30 degrees hotter
What temp does tissue cell death occur?
50-55 degrees Celsius
At what temp does char and coagulum for?
75 Celsius
What temp is overheating causing a steam pop and possible complications?
100 Celsius
