On understanding of the limiting factors in radiofrequency ablation on target tissue necrosis volume

Abstract

The aim of this study was to analyze six limiting factors that may be responsible for target tissue necrosis (TTN) generation during the procedure of radiofrequency ablation (RFA). A comprehensive finite element (FE) model was built to collect the data of TTN generated in a liver tissue by using a commercial available RFA system. The model was validated by comparison of results with in vitro experiment in a literature. Six limiting factors were analyzed using a statistical method. Sixteen RFA experiments were performed, in which the TTN volume was considered as a response variable along with the six control factors. The TTN volumes obtained from the 16 simulations were quite different, ranging from 7.749 to 8433.931 mm3. The applied voltage (F), the frequency (/), the length (L) of the RF electrode, the chilled fluid temperature (T), the large blood vessel (d) in the proximity to target tissue and the ablation duration (t) account for approximately 78.21%, 9.93%, 2.91%, 0.01%, 4.64%, and 0.08%, respectively, of the effect on the TTN volume. The findings from the present study suggest that the applied voltage (V) and the frequency (f), followed by the large blood vessel (d) in proximity to target tissue, have the highest effect on the TTN volume.