Body Size Modulates the Impact of the Dispersive Patch Position During Radiofrequency Cardiac Ablation.

(1) Background: In the context of cardiac radiofrequency (RF) ablation, it has been proposed that positioning the dispersive patch (DP) concordantly with the orientation of the ablation electrode may enhance lesion size. The objective of this study is to investigate how individual body size may modulate the extent of this effect. (2) Methods: Three computational models representing different body sizes were developed. An irrigated catheter ablation was simulated by delivering a 30 W pulse for 30 s to the endocardial surface of the anterior wall. Lesion sizes were then compared between two configurations of the dispersive patch (DP): an anterior (concordant) position and a posterior (discordant) position. (3) Results: Lesion size was consistently and significantly greater with concordant DP positioning compared to discordant positioning. Moreover, the magnitude of this difference decreased significantly with increasing body size, ranging from 0.65 ± 0.08 mm in the 35 kg swine model to 0.51 ± 0.06 mm in the human model. (4) Conclusions: Body size has a modest influence on the effect of dispersive patch positioning on RF lesion size. The potential advantage of a concordant DP configuration may be more significant in individuals with smaller body volume.