Chilled-tip electrode radio-frequency ablation of the endocardium: a finite element study

Computer simulations are performed to compare the depth and volume of the lesions caused by chilled radio-frequency ablation and conventional RF ablation. Results indicate that when the tissue temperature reaches 100/spl deg/C, the volume and the depth of the tissue with the greatest temperature rise are 20 mm/sup 3/ and 1.8 mm for conventional RF ablation and 50 mm/sup 3/ and 3.8 mm for chilled RF ablation.