A computational model of radiofrequency ablation in the stomach, an emerging therapy for gastric dysrhythmias

Gastric ablation has recently emerged as a promising potential therapy for bioelectrical dysrhythmias that underpin many gastrointestinal disorders. Despite similarities to well-developed cardiac ablation, gastric ablation is in early development and has thus far been limited to temperature-controlled, non-irrigated settings. A computational model of gastric ablation is needed to enable in silico testing and optimization of ablation parameters and techniques. In this study, we developed a computational model of radio-frequency (RF) gastric ablation. Model parameters and boundary conditions were established based on the current in vivo experimental application of serosal gastric ablation with a non-irrigated RF catheter. The Pennes bioheat transfer equation was used to model the thermal component of RF ablation, and Laplace's equation was used to model the Joule heating component. Tissue, blood, and catheter parameters were obtained from literature. The performance of the model was compared to previously established experimental values of temperature measured from various distances from the catheter tip. The model produced temperature estimations that were within 6% of the maximum experimental temperature at 2.5 mm from the catheter, and within 13% of the maximum temperature change at 4.7 mm. This model now provides a computational basis through which to conduct in silico testing of gastric ablation, and can be usefully applied to optimize gastric ablation parameters. In future, the model can be expanded to include irrigation of the catheter tip and power-controlled RF settings.Clinical Relevance— This work presents a computational model of gastric ablation that can now guide the in silico development of effective ablation parameters and therapeutic strategies, expanding the breadth of this promising therapy.