Numerical models of RF ablation in myocardium

Numerical finite difference method models of electrosurgical disk electrode current density, thermal and damage fields reveal patterns corresponding approximately to observations in histologic sections. Loss of birefringence was used as the hallmark of thermal damage. Kinetic rate coefficients for this process were estimated from experiments with laser sources and heated metallic blocks. Predicted temperature histories compare favorably with experimental measurements. The method may be used to predict transient temperature field histories and damage extent in planning cardiac ablation protocols