1
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Invers-Rubio E, Hernández-Romero I, Reventos-Presmanes J, Ferro E, Guichard JB, Regany-Closa M, Pellicer-Sendra B, Borras R, Prat-Gonzalez S, Tolosana JM, Porta-Sanchez A, Arbelo E, Guasch E, Sitges M, Brugada J, Guillem MS, Roca-Luque I, Climent AM, Mont L, Althoff TF. Regional conduction velocities determined by noninvasive mapping are associated with arrhythmia-free survival after atrial fibrillation ablation. Heart Rhythm 2024; 21:1570-1580. [PMID: 38636930 DOI: 10.1016/j.hrthm.2024.04.063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2024] [Revised: 03/24/2024] [Accepted: 04/12/2024] [Indexed: 04/20/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Atrial arrhythmogenic substrate is a key determinant of atrial fibrillation (AF) recurrence after pulmonary vein isolation (PVI), and reduced conduction velocities have been linked to adverse outcome. However, a noninvasive method to assess such electrophysiologic substrate is not available to date. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to noninvasively assess regional conduction velocities and their association with arrhythmia-free survival after PVI. METHODS A consecutive 52 patients scheduled for AF ablation (PVI only) and 19 healthy controls were prospectively included and received electrocardiographic imaging (ECGi) to noninvasively determine regional atrial conduction velocities in sinus rhythm. A novel ECGi technology obviating the need of additional computed tomography or cardiac magnetic resonance imaging was applied and validated by invasive mapping. RESULTS Mean ECGi-determined atrial conduction velocities were significantly lower in AF patients than in healthy controls (1.45 ± 0.15 m/s vs 1.64 ± 0.15 m/s; P < .0001). Differences were particularly pronounced in a regional analysis considering only the segment with the lowest average conduction velocity in each patient (0.8 ± 0.22 m/s vs 1.08 ± 0.26 m/s; P < .0001). This average conduction velocity of the "slowest" segment was independently associated with arrhythmia recurrence and better discriminated between PVI responders and nonresponders than previously proposed predictors, including left atrial size and late gadolinium enhancement (magnetic resonance imaging). Patients without slow-conduction areas (mean conduction velocity <0.78 m/s) showed significantly higher 12-month arrhythmia-free survival than those with 1 or more slow-conduction areas (88.9% vs 48.0%; P = .002). CONCLUSION This is the first study to investigate regional atrial conduction velocities noninvasively. The absence of ECGi-determined slow-conduction areas well discriminates PVI responders from nonresponders. Such noninvasive assessment of electrical arrhythmogenic substrate may guide treatment strategies and be a step toward personalized AF therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric Invers-Rubio
- Department of Cardiology, Hospital Clinic Cardiovascular Institute (ICCV), Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain; Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | | | - Jana Reventos-Presmanes
- Department of Cardiology, Hospital Clinic Cardiovascular Institute (ICCV), Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain; ITACA Institute, Universitat Politècnica de València, València, Spain
| | - Elisenda Ferro
- Department of Cardiology, Hospital Clinic Cardiovascular Institute (ICCV), Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Jean-Baptiste Guichard
- Department of Cardiology, Hospital Clinic Cardiovascular Institute (ICCV), Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain; Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain; Department of Cardiology, University Hospital of Saint-Étienne, Saint-Étienne, France
| | - Mariona Regany-Closa
- Department of Cardiology, Hospital Clinic Cardiovascular Institute (ICCV), Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Berta Pellicer-Sendra
- Department of Cardiology, Hospital Clinic Cardiovascular Institute (ICCV), Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Roger Borras
- Department of Cardiology, Hospital Clinic Cardiovascular Institute (ICCV), Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Susanna Prat-Gonzalez
- Department of Cardiology, Hospital Clinic Cardiovascular Institute (ICCV), Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain; Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Jose Maria Tolosana
- Department of Cardiology, Hospital Clinic Cardiovascular Institute (ICCV), Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain; Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Cardiovascular (CIBERCV), Madrid, Spain
| | - Andreu Porta-Sanchez
- Department of Cardiology, Hospital Clinic Cardiovascular Institute (ICCV), Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain; Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Cardiovascular (CIBERCV), Madrid, Spain
| | - Elena Arbelo
- Department of Cardiology, Hospital Clinic Cardiovascular Institute (ICCV), Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain; Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Cardiovascular (CIBERCV), Madrid, Spain
| | - Eduard Guasch
- Department of Cardiology, Hospital Clinic Cardiovascular Institute (ICCV), Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain; Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Cardiovascular (CIBERCV), Madrid, Spain
| | - Marta Sitges
- Department of Cardiology, Hospital Clinic Cardiovascular Institute (ICCV), Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain; Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Cardiovascular (CIBERCV), Madrid, Spain
| | - Josep Brugada
- Department of Cardiology, Hospital Clinic Cardiovascular Institute (ICCV), Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain; Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Cardiovascular (CIBERCV), Madrid, Spain
| | - Maria S Guillem
- ITACA Institute, Universitat Politècnica de València, València, Spain
| | - Ivo Roca-Luque
- Department of Cardiology, Hospital Clinic Cardiovascular Institute (ICCV), Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain; Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Cardiovascular (CIBERCV), Madrid, Spain
| | - Andreu M Climent
- ITACA Institute, Universitat Politècnica de València, València, Spain
| | - Lluís Mont
- Department of Cardiology, Hospital Clinic Cardiovascular Institute (ICCV), Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain; Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Cardiovascular (CIBERCV), Madrid, Spain
| | - Till F Althoff
- Department of Cardiology, Hospital Clinic Cardiovascular Institute (ICCV), Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain; Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain.
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2
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Reddy VY, Kong MH, Petru J, Maan A, Funasako M, Minami K, Ruppersberg P, Dukkipati S, Neuzil P. Electrographic flow mapping of persistent atrial fibrillation: intra- and inter-procedure reproducibility in the absence of 'ground truth'. Europace 2023; 25:euad308. [PMID: 37956309 PMCID: PMC10642765 DOI: 10.1093/europace/euad308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2023] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023] Open
Abstract
AIMS Validating mapping systems that identify atrial fibrillation (AF) sources (focal/rotational activity) is confounded by the absence of ground truth. A key concern of prior mapping technologies is spatiotemporal instability, manifesting as poor map reproducibility. Electrographic flow (EGF) employs a novel algorithm that visualizes atrial electrical wavefront propagation to identify putative AF sources. We analysed both intra- (3 min) and inter- (>3 months) procedure EGF map reproducibility. METHODS AND RESULTS In 23 persistent AF patients, after pulmonary vein isolation (PVI), EGF maps were generated from 3 serial 1 min recordings using a 64-electrode basket mapping catheter (triplets) at right and left atrial locations. Source prevalence from map triplets was compared between recordings. Per protocol, 12 patients returned for 3-month remapping (1 non-inducible): index procedure post-PVI EGF maps were compared with initial EGF remapping at 3-month redo. Intra-procedure reproducibility: analysing 224 map triplets (111 right atrium, 113 left atrium) revealed a high degree of map consistency with minimal min-to-min shifts: 97 triplets (43%), exact match of leading sources on all 3 maps; 95 triplets (42%), leading source within 1 electrode space on 2 of 3 maps; and 32 triplets (14%), chaotic leading source pattern. Average deviation in source prevalence over 60 s was low (6.4%). Inter-procedure reproducibility: spatiotemporal stability of EGF mapping >3 months was seen in 16 of 18 (89%) sources mapped in 12 patients with (re)inducible AF. CONCLUSION Electrographic flow mapping generates reproducible intra- and inter-procedural maps, providing rationale for randomized clinical trials targeting these putative AF sources.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vivek Y Reddy
- Helmsley Electrophysiology Center, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place, PO Box 1030, NewYork, NY 10029, USA
- Department of Cardiology, Homolka Hospital, Roentgenova 37/2, Prague 5, Czech Republic
| | | | - Jan Petru
- Department of Cardiology, Homolka Hospital, Roentgenova 37/2, Prague 5, Czech Republic
| | - Abhishek Maan
- Helmsley Electrophysiology Center, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place, PO Box 1030, NewYork, NY 10029, USA
| | - Moritoshi Funasako
- Department of Cardiology, Homolka Hospital, Roentgenova 37/2, Prague 5, Czech Republic
| | - Kentaro Minami
- Department of Cardiology, Homolka Hospital, Roentgenova 37/2, Prague 5, Czech Republic
| | | | - Srinivas Dukkipati
- Helmsley Electrophysiology Center, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place, PO Box 1030, NewYork, NY 10029, USA
| | - Petr Neuzil
- Department of Cardiology, Homolka Hospital, Roentgenova 37/2, Prague 5, Czech Republic
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Althoff TF, Porta-Sanchez A. Does the spatial distribution of atrial arrhythmogenic substrate matter? Insights from the DECAAF II trial. Europace 2023; 25:euad282. [PMID: 37713184 PMCID: PMC10519619 DOI: 10.1093/europace/euad282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2023] [Revised: 09/06/2023] [Accepted: 09/13/2023] [Indexed: 09/16/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Till F Althoff
- Arrhythmia Section, Clínic Cardiovascular Institute (ICCV), Clínic Barcelona University Hospital, C/Villarroel N° 170, 08036 Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
- Institut d’Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Carrer del Rosselló 149, 08036 Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Andreu Porta-Sanchez
- Arrhythmia Section, Clínic Cardiovascular Institute (ICCV), Clínic Barcelona University Hospital, C/Villarroel N° 170, 08036 Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
- Institut d’Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Carrer del Rosselló 149, 08036 Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Cardiovascular (CIBERCV), Av. Monforte de Lemos 3-5, 28029 Madrid, Spain
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van Staveren LN, Hendriks RC, Taverne YJHJ, de Groot NMS. High Dominant Frequencies and Fractionated Potentials Do Not Indicate Focal or Rotational Activation During AF. JACC Clin Electrophysiol 2023; 9:1082-1096. [PMID: 37495319 DOI: 10.1016/j.jacep.2023.01.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2022] [Revised: 01/19/2023] [Accepted: 01/23/2023] [Indexed: 07/28/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Dominant frequencies (DFs) or complex fractionated atrial electrograms (CFAEs), indicative of focal sources or rotational activation, are used to identify target sites for atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation in clinical studies, although the relationship among DF, CFAE, and activation patterns remains unclear. OBJECTIVES This study sought to investigate the relationship between patterns of activation underlying DF and CFAE sites during AF. METHODS Epicardial high-resolution mapping of the right and left atrium including Bachmann's bundle was performed in 71 participants. We identified the highest dominant frequency (DFmax) and highest degree of CFAE (CFAEmax) with the use of existing clinical criteria and classified patterns of activation as focal or rotational activation and smooth propagation, conduction block (CB), collision and remnant activity, and fibrillation potentials as single, double, or fractionated potentials containing, respectively, 1, 2, or 3 or more negative deflections. Relationships among activation patterns, DFmax, and potential types were investigated. RESULTS DFmax were primarily located at the left atrioventricular groove and did not harbor focal activation (proportion focal waves: 0% [IQR: 0%-2%]). Compared with non-DFmax sites, DFmax were characterized by more frequent smooth propagation (22% [IQR: 7%-48%] vs 17% [IQR: 11%-24%]; P = 0.001), less frequent conduction block (69% [IQR: 51%-81%] vs 74% [IQR: 69%-78%]; P = 0.006), a higher proportion of single potentials (72% [IQR: 55%-84%] vs 6%1 [IQR: 55%-65%]; P = 0.003), and a lower proportion of fractionated potentials (4% [IQR: 1%-11%] vs 12% [IQR: 9%-15%]; P = 0.004). CFAEmax were mainly found at the pulmonary veins area, and only 1% [IQR: 0%-2%] of all CFAEmax contained focal activation. Compared with non-CFAEmax sites, CFAEmax sites were characterized by less frequent smooth propagation (1% [IQR: 0%-1%] vs 17% [IQR: 12%-24%]; P < 0.001) and more frequent remnant activity (20% [IQR: 12%-29%] vs 8% [IQR: 5%-10%]; P < 0.001), and harbored predominantly fractionated potentials (52% [IQR: 43%-66%] vs 12% [IQR: 9%-14%]; P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS Focal or rotational patterns of activation were not consistently detected at DFmax domains and CFAEmax sites. These findings do not support the concept of targeting DFmax or CFAEmax according to existing criteria for AF ablation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Yannick J H J Taverne
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
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5
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Haines DE, Kong MH, Ruppersberg P, Haeusser P, Avitall B, Szili-Torok T, Verma A. Electrographic flow mapping for atrial fibrillation: theoretical basis and preliminary observations. J Interv Card Electrophysiol 2023; 66:1015-1028. [PMID: 35969338 PMCID: PMC10172240 DOI: 10.1007/s10840-022-01308-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2022] [Accepted: 07/15/2022] [Indexed: 10/15/2022]
Abstract
Ablation strategies remain poorly defined for persistent atrial fibrillation (AF) patients with recurrence despite intact pulmonary vein isolation (PVI). As the ability to perform durable PVI improves, the need for advanced mapping to identify extra-PV sources of AF becomes increasingly evident. Multiple mapping technologies attempt to localize these self-sustained triggers and/or drivers responsible for initiating and/or maintaining AF; however, current approaches suffer from technical limitations. Electrographic flow (EGF) mapping is a novel mapping method based on well-established principles of optical flow and fluid dynamics. It enables the full spatiotemporal reconstruction of organized wavefront propagation within the otherwise chaotic and disorganized electrical conduction of AF. Given the novelty of EGF mapping and relative unfamiliarity of most clinical electrophysiologists with the mathematical principles powering the EGF algorithm, this paper provides an in-depth explanation of the technical/mathematical foundations of EGF mapping and demonstrates clinical applications of EGF mapping data and analyses. Starting with a 64-electrode basket catheter, unipolar EGMs are recorded and processed using an algorithm to visualize the electrographic flow and highlight the location of high prevalence AF "source" activity. The AF sources are agnostic to the specific mechanisms of source signal generation.
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Affiliation(s)
- David E Haines
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Beaumont Hospital, Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine, 3601 West 13 Mile Rd., Royal Oaks, MI, 48973, USA.
| | | | | | | | - Boaz Avitall
- Department of Medicine and Bioengineering, University of Illinois, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Tamas Szili-Torok
- Department of Cardiology, Electrophysiology, Erasmus Medical Center, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Atul Verma
- Southlake Regional Health Centre, Division of Cardiology, University of Toronto, 602-581 Davis Drive, Newmarket, Ontario, L3Y 2P6, Canada.
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Xu CH, Xiong F, Jiang WF, Liu X, Liu T, Qin M. Rotor mechanism and its mapping in atrial fibrillation. Europace 2023; 25:783-792. [PMID: 36734272 PMCID: PMC10062333 DOI: 10.1093/europace/euad002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2022] [Accepted: 12/28/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Treatment of atrial fibrillation (AF) remains challenging despite significant progress in understanding its underlying mechanisms. The first detailed, quantitative theory of functional re-entry, the 'leading circle' model, was developed more than 40 years ago. Subsequently, in decades of study, an alternative paradigm based on spiral waves has long been postulated to drive AF. The rotor as a 'spiral wave generator' is a curved 'vortex' formed by spin motion in the two-dimensional plane, identified using advanced mapping methods in experimental and clinical AF. However, it is challenging to achieve complementary results between experimental results and clinical studies due to the limitation in research methods and the complexity of the rotor mechanism. Here, we review knowledge garnered over decades on generation, electrophysiological properties, and three-dimensional (3D) structure diversity of the rotor mechanism and make a comparison among recent clinical approaches to identify rotors. Although initial studies of rotor ablation at many independent centres have achieved promising results, some inconclusive outcomes exist in others. We propose that the clinical rotor identification might be substantially influenced by (i) non-identical surface activation patterns, which resulted from a diverse 3D form of scroll wave, and (ii) inadequate resolution of mapping techniques. With rapidly advancing theoretical and technological developments, future work is required to resolve clinically relevant limitations in current basic and clinical research methodology, translate from one to the other, and resolve available mapping techniques.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chang-Hao Xu
- Department of Cardiology, Shanghai Chest Hospital, School of Medicine,
Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 241 Huaihai West Road, Xuhui
District, Shanghai 200030, China
| | - Feng Xiong
- Montreal Heart Institute, Department of Medicine, University of
Montreal, 5000, Bélanger street, Montréal, Québec H1T
1C8, Canada
| | - Wei-Feng Jiang
- Department of Cardiology, Shanghai Chest Hospital, School of Medicine,
Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 241 Huaihai West Road, Xuhui
District, Shanghai 200030, China
| | - Xu Liu
- Department of Cardiology, Shanghai Chest Hospital, School of Medicine,
Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 241 Huaihai West Road, Xuhui
District, Shanghai 200030, China
| | - Tao Liu
- Corresponding authors. Tao Liu, 238 Jiefang Road, Wuchang
District, Wuhan, Hubei 430060, China. Tel: +86 (027) 8804 1911, Fax:+86-(027)-8804-2292.
E-mail address:; Mu Qin, 241 Huaihai
West Road, Xuhui District, Shanghai, 200030, China. Tel: +8621628219902603, Fax:
+862162821105. E-mail address:
| | - Mu Qin
- Corresponding authors. Tao Liu, 238 Jiefang Road, Wuchang
District, Wuhan, Hubei 430060, China. Tel: +86 (027) 8804 1911, Fax:+86-(027)-8804-2292.
E-mail address:; Mu Qin, 241 Huaihai
West Road, Xuhui District, Shanghai, 200030, China. Tel: +8621628219902603, Fax:
+862162821105. E-mail address:
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7
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DG-Mapping: a novel software package for the analysis of any type of reentry and focal activation of simulated, experimental or clinical data of cardiac arrhythmia. Med Biol Eng Comput 2022; 60:1929-1945. [DOI: 10.1007/s11517-022-02550-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2021] [Accepted: 02/13/2022] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
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8
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Charitakis E, Metelli S, Karlsson LO, Antoniadis AP, Rizas KD, Liuba I, Almroth H, Hassel Jönsson A, Schwieler J, Tsartsalis D, Sideris S, Dragioti E, Fragakis N, Chaimani A. Comparing efficacy and safety in catheter ablation strategies for atrial fibrillation: a network meta-analysis. BMC Med 2022; 20:193. [PMID: 35637488 PMCID: PMC9153169 DOI: 10.1186/s12916-022-02385-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2021] [Accepted: 04/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND There is no consensus on the most efficient catheter ablation (CA) strategy for patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). The objective of this study was to compare the efficacy and safety of different CA strategies for AF ablation through network meta-analysis (NMA). METHODS A systematic search of PubMed, Web of Science, and CENTRAL was performed up to October 5th, 2020. Randomized controlled trials (RCT) comparing different CA approaches were included. Efficacy was defined as arrhythmia recurrence after CA and safety as any reported complication related to the procedure during a minimum follow-up time of 6 months. RESULTS In total, 67 RCTs (n = 9871) comparing 19 different CA strategies were included. The risk of recurrence was significantly decreased compared to pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) alone for PVI with renal denervation (RR: 0.60, CI: 0.38-0.94), PVI with ganglia-plexi ablation (RR: 0.62, CI: 0.41-0.94), PVI with additional ablation lines (RR: 0.8, CI: 0.68-0.95) and PVI in combination with bi-atrial modification (RR: 0.32, CI: 0.11-0.88). Strategies including PVI appeared superior to non-PVI strategies such as electrogram-based approaches. No significant differences in safety were observed. CONCLUSIONS This NMA showed that PVI in combination with additional CA strategies, such as autonomic modulation and additional lines, seem to increase the efficacy of PVI alone. These strategies can be considered in treating patients with AF, since, additionally, no differences in safety were observed. This study provides decision-makers with comprehensive and comparative evidence about the efficacy and safety of different CA strategies. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION PROSPERO registry number: CRD42020169494 .
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Affiliation(s)
- Emmanouil Charitakis
- Department of Cardiology and Department of Health, Medicine and Caring Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden.
| | - Silvia Metelli
- Research Center of Epidemiology and Statistics (CRESS-U1153), Université Paris Cité, INSERM, Paris, France
| | - Lars O Karlsson
- Department of Cardiology and Department of Health, Medicine and Caring Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Antonios P Antoniadis
- 3rd Cardiology Department, Hippokrateion General Hospital, Aristotle University Medical School, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Konstantinos D Rizas
- Medizinische Klinik Und Poliklinik I, LMU Klinikum, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Ioan Liuba
- Department of Cardiology and Department of Health, Medicine and Caring Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Henrik Almroth
- Department of Cardiology and Department of Health, Medicine and Caring Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Anders Hassel Jönsson
- Department of Cardiology and Department of Health, Medicine and Caring Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Jonas Schwieler
- Heart and Vascular Theme, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | | | - Skevos Sideris
- Department of Cardiology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Hippokration Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Elena Dragioti
- Pain and Rehabilitation Centre and Department of Health, Medicine and Caring Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Nikolaos Fragakis
- 3rd Cardiology Department, Hippokrateion General Hospital, Aristotle University Medical School, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Anna Chaimani
- Research Center of Epidemiology and Statistics (CRESS-U1153), Université Paris Cité, INSERM, Paris, France
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9
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Spera F, Rodriguez-Mañero M, Baluja A, Saenen J, Huybrechts W, Miljoen H, Tijskens M, Vandaele L, Wittock A, Claeys MJ, Heidbuchel H, Sarkozy A. Reproducibility and predictive value of a simple novel method to measure atrial fibrillation cycle length in persistent atrial fibrillation - FARS-AF study. J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol 2022; 33:641-650. [PMID: 35132713 DOI: 10.1111/jce.15401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2021] [Revised: 12/15/2021] [Accepted: 12/31/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Different methods are used for atrial fibrillation (AF) cycle length (CL) measurement with variable results. Previous studies of pulmonary vein (PV) CL measurement showed contradictory results on predicting PV isolation (PVI) efficacy. A novel simple method of measuring the average of 10 consecutive Fastest Atrial Repetitive Similar morphology signal (FARS10 )-CL to characterize local atrial activity rate was evaluated prospectively. METHODS The intra-observer reproducibility of FARS10 -CL and traditional AF-CL measurement of continuously fragmented coronary sinus (CS) signals were tested. We prospectively enrolled 100 consecutive patients (62±10 years, 72% male) undergoing wide antral PVI only ablation for persistent AF, measured PV-FARS10 -CLs and evaluated long-term outcome. RESULTS The Kendall area correlation between repeated traditional AF-CL measurements was -0.006 and between repeated FARS10 -CL measurements in the right and left atrial appendages, CS and PVs were 0.944, 0.859, 0.882, 0.675-0.955, respectively. Patients with recurrent atrial tachyarrhythmia had significantly longer Fastest PV-FARS10 -CL (172±41 vs. 156±41 ms, p=0.047). Patients with high burden of spontaneous low voltage zone (LVZ) had significantly longer Fastest PV-FARS10 -CL. Freedom from recurrent tachyarrhythmia at 24 months was 85% vs. 59% in patients with Fastest PV-FARS10 -CL≤140 vs. >140 ms, p=0.0018, respectively. In multivariable analysis Fastest PV-FARS10 -CL≤140 ms was the only significant predictor of freedom from recurrent tachyarrhythmia. CONCLUSIONS FARS10 -CL measurements have a high reproducibility in contrast to traditional AF-CL measurement of continuously fragmented CS signals. Patients with high burden of LVZ have longer Fastest PV-FARS10 -CLs. Fastest PV-FARS10 -CL≤140 ms is associated with a high success of wide antral PVI-only ablation approach in persistent AF. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Spera
- Cardiology Department, University Hospital of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Moises Rodriguez-Mañero
- Cardiology Department, Hospital Universitario Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, IDIS, CIBERCV, Spain
| | - Aurora Baluja
- Critical Patient Translational Research Group, Department of Anesthesiology, Intensive Care and Pain Management, Hospital Clínico Universitario, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Johan Saenen
- Cardiology Department, University Hospital of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Wim Huybrechts
- Cardiology Department, University Hospital of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Hielko Miljoen
- Cardiology Department, University Hospital of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Maxime Tijskens
- Cardiology Department, University Hospital of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Lien Vandaele
- Cardiology Department, University Hospital of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Anouk Wittock
- Anesthesiology Department, University Hospital Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Marc J Claeys
- Cardiology Department, University Hospital of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium.,University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Hein Heidbuchel
- Cardiology Department, University Hospital of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium.,University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Andrea Sarkozy
- Cardiology Department, University Hospital of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium.,University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
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10
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Gagyi RB, Ruppersberg P, Kong MH, Hoogendijk M, Wijchers S, Szili-Torok T. First-in-human demonstration of 18-month spatiotemporal stability of active atrial fibrillation source detected by electrographic flow mapping in persistent atrial fibrillation. HeartRhythm Case Rep 2021; 7:599-604. [PMID: 34552851 PMCID: PMC8441199 DOI: 10.1016/j.hrcr.2021.05.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Rita B. Gagyi
- Department of Cardiology, Electrophysiology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | | | | | - Mark Hoogendijk
- Department of Cardiology, Electrophysiology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Sip Wijchers
- Department of Cardiology, Electrophysiology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Tamas Szili-Torok
- Department of Cardiology, Electrophysiology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- Address reprint requests and correspondence: Dr Tamas Szili-Torok, Thoraxcenter, Department of Clinical Electrophysiology, Erasmus MC, Postbus 2040, 3000 CA Rotterdam, Doctor Molewaterplein 40, 3015 GD Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
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11
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Schotten U, Lee S, Zeemering S, Waldo AL. Paradigm shifts in electrophysiological mechanisms of atrial fibrillation. Europace 2021; 23:ii9-ii13. [PMID: 33837750 DOI: 10.1093/europace/euaa384] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2020] [Accepted: 12/03/2020] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Determining the sequence of activation is a major source of information for understanding the electrophysiological mechanism(s) of atrial fibrillation (AF). However, the complex morphology of the electrograms hampers their analysis, and has stimulated generations of electrophysiologists to develop a large variety of technologies for recording, pre-processing, and analysis of fibrillation electrograms. This variability of approaches is mirrored by a large variability in the interpretation of fibrillation electrograms and, thereby, opinions regarding the basic electrophysiological mechanism(s) of AF vary widely. Multiple wavelets, different types of re-entry including rotors, double layers, multiple focal activation patterns all have been advocated, and a comprehensive and commonly accepted paradigm for the fundamental mechanisms of AF is still lacking. Here, we summarize the Maastricht perspective and Cleveland perspective regarding AF mechanism(s). We also describe some of the key observations in mapping of AF reported over the past decades, and how they changed over the years, often as results of new techniques introduced in the experimental field of AF research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ulrich Schotten
- Department of Physiology, Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht, Maastricht University Medical Centre, Universiteitssingel 50 6229 ER, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Seungyup Lee
- Department of Medicine, Cardiovascular Research Institute, Case Western Reserve University/University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Stef Zeemering
- Department of Physiology, Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht, Maastricht University Medical Centre, Universiteitssingel 50 6229 ER, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Albert L Waldo
- Department of Medicine, Cardiovascular Research Institute, Case Western Reserve University/University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Cleveland, OH, USA
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12
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Liao S, Ragot D, Nayyar S, Suszko A, Zhang Z, Wang B, Chauhan VS. Deep Learning Classification of Unipolar Electrograms in Human Atrial Fibrillation: Application in Focal Source Mapping. Front Physiol 2021; 12:704122. [PMID: 34393823 PMCID: PMC8360838 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2021.704122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2021] [Accepted: 07/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Focal sources are potential targets for atrial fibrillation (AF) catheter ablation, but they can be time-consuming and challenging to identify when unipolar electrograms (EGM) are numerous and complex. Our aim was to apply deep learning (DL) to raw unipolar EGMs in order to automate putative focal sources detection. We included 78 patients from the Focal Source and Trigger (FaST) randomized controlled trial that evaluated the efficacy of adjunctive FaST ablation compared to pulmonary vein isolation alone in reducing AF recurrence. FaST sites were identified based on manual classification of sustained periodic unipolar QS EGMs over 5-s. All periodic unipolar EGMs were divided into training (n = 10,004) and testing cohorts (n = 3,180). DL was developed using residual convolutional neural network to discriminate between FaST and non-FaST. A gradient-based method was applied to interpret the DL model. DL classified FaST with a receiver operator characteristic area under curve of 0.904 ± 0.010 (cross-validation) and 0.923 ± 0.003 (testing). At a prespecified sensitivity of 90%, the specificity and accuracy were 81.9 and 82.5%, respectively, in detecting FaST. DL had similar performance (sensitivity 78%, specificity 89%) to that of FaST re-classification by cardiologists (sensitivity 78%, specificity 79%). The gradient-based interpretation demonstrated accurate tracking of unipolar QS complexes by select DL convolutional layers. In conclusion, our novel DL model trained on raw unipolar EGMs allowed automated and accurate classification of FaST sites. Performance was similar to FaST re-classification by cardiologists. Future application of DL to classify FaST may improve the efficiency of real-time focal source detection for targeted AF ablation therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shun Liao
- Peter Munk Cardiac Centre, Division of Cardiology, Toronto General Hospital, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Don Ragot
- Peter Munk Cardiac Centre, Division of Cardiology, Toronto General Hospital, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Sachin Nayyar
- Peter Munk Cardiac Centre, Division of Cardiology, Toronto General Hospital, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Adrian Suszko
- Peter Munk Cardiac Centre, Division of Cardiology, Toronto General Hospital, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Zhaolei Zhang
- Department of Computer Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Bo Wang
- Peter Munk Cardiac Centre, Division of Cardiology, Toronto General Hospital, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Vijay S Chauhan
- Peter Munk Cardiac Centre, Division of Cardiology, Toronto General Hospital, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
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13
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Investigational Anti-Atrial Fibrillation Pharmacology and Mechanisms by Which Antiarrhythmics Terminate the Arrhythmia: Where Are We in 2020? J Cardiovasc Pharmacol 2021; 76:492-505. [PMID: 33165131 PMCID: PMC7641178 DOI: 10.1097/fjc.0000000000000892] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Antiarrhythmic drugs remain the mainstay therapy for patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). A major disadvantage of the currently available anti-AF agents is the risk of induction of ventricular proarrhythmias. Aiming to reduce this risk, several atrial-specific or -selective ion channel block approaches have been introduced for AF suppression, but only the atrial-selective inhibition of the sodium channel has been demonstrated to be valid in both experimental and clinical studies. Among the other pharmacological anti-AF approaches, “upstream therapy” has been prominent but largely disappointing, and pulmonary delivery of anti-AF drugs seems to be promising. Major contradictions exist in the literature about the electrophysiological mechanisms of AF (ie, reentry or focal?) and the mechanisms by which anti-AF drugs terminate AF, making the search for novel anti-AF approaches largely empirical. Drug-induced termination of AF may or may not be associated with prolongation of the atrial effective refractory period. Anti-AF drug research has been largely based on the “suppress reentry” ideology; however, results of the AF mapping studies increasingly indicate that nonreentrant mechanism(s) plays an important role in the maintenance of AF. Also, the analysis of anti-AF drug-induced electrophysiological alterations during AF, conducted in the current study, leans toward the focal source as the prime mechanism of AF maintenance. More effort should be placed on the investigation of pharmacological suppression of the focal mechanisms.
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14
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Sarkozy A. Patient-Specific Mapping of Atrial Fibrillation Mechanisms: The Quest Continues. JACC Clin Electrophysiol 2021; 7:933-935. [PMID: 34294391 DOI: 10.1016/j.jacep.2021.02.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2021] [Revised: 02/05/2021] [Accepted: 02/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Sarkozy
- Cardiology Department, University Hospital of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium; University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium.
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15
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Quintanilla JG, Shpun S, Jalife J, Filgueiras-Rama D. Novel approaches to mechanism-based atrial fibrillation ablation. Cardiovasc Res 2021; 117:1662-1681. [PMID: 33744913 PMCID: PMC8208747 DOI: 10.1093/cvr/cvab108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2020] [Revised: 02/12/2021] [Accepted: 03/18/2021] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Modern cardiac electrophysiology has reported significant advances in the understanding of mechanisms underlying complex wave propagation patterns during atrial fibrillation (AF), although disagreements remain. One school of thought adheres to the long-held postulate that AF is the result of randomly propagating wavelets that wonder throughout the atria. Another school supports the notion that AF is deterministic in that it depends on a small number of high-frequency rotors generating three-dimensional scroll waves that propagate throughout the atria. The spiralling waves are thought to interact with anatomic and functional obstacles, leading to fragmentation and new wavelet formation associated with the irregular activation patterns documented on AF tracings. The deterministic hypothesis is consistent with demonstrable hierarchical gradients of activation frequency and AF termination on ablation at specific (non-random) atrial regions. During the last decade, data from realistic animal models and pilot clinical series have triggered a new era of novel methodologies to identify and ablate AF drivers outside the pulmonary veins. New generation electroanatomical mapping systems and multielectrode mapping catheters, complimented by powerful mathematical analyses, have generated the necessary platforms and tools for moving these approaches into clinical procedures. Recent clinical data using such platforms have provided encouraging evidence supporting the feasibility of targeting and effectively ablating driver regions in addition to pulmonary vein isolation in persistent AF. Here, we review state-of-the-art technologies and provide a comprehensive historical perspective, characterization, classification, and expected outcomes of current mechanism-based methods for AF ablation. We discuss also the challenges and expected future directions that scientists and clinicians will face in their efforts to understand AF dynamics and successfully implement any novel method into regular clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jorge G Quintanilla
- Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC), Myocardial Pathophysiology Area, Madrid, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Hospital Clínico San Carlos (IdISSC), Cardiovascular Institute, Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Cardiovasculares (CIBERCV), Madrid, Spain
| | | | - José Jalife
- Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC), Myocardial Pathophysiology Area, Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Cardiovasculares (CIBERCV), Madrid, Spain
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, 2800 Plymouth Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - David Filgueiras-Rama
- Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC), Myocardial Pathophysiology Area, Madrid, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Hospital Clínico San Carlos (IdISSC), Cardiovascular Institute, Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Cardiovasculares (CIBERCV), Madrid, Spain
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16
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Van Nieuwenhuyse E, Martinez-Mateu L, Saiz J, Panfilov AV, Vandersickel N. Directed graph mapping exceeds phase mapping in discriminating true and false rotors detected with a basket catheter in a complex in-silico excitation pattern. Comput Biol Med 2021; 133:104381. [PMID: 33901713 PMCID: PMC8204274 DOI: 10.1016/j.compbiomed.2021.104381] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2021] [Revised: 04/02/2021] [Accepted: 04/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
Abstract
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most frequently encountered arrhythmia in clinical practise. One of the major problems in the management of AF is the difficulty in identifying the arrhythmia sources from clinical recordings. That difficulty occurs because it is currently impossible to verify algorithms which determine these sources in clinical data, as high resolution true excitation patterns cannot be recorded in patients. Therefore, alternative approaches, like computer modelling are of great interest. In a recent published study such an approach was applied for the verification of one of the most commonly used algorithms, phase mapping (PM). A meandering rotor was simulated in the right atrium and a basket catheter was placed at 3 different locations: at the Superior Vena Cava (SVC), the Crista Terminalis (CT) and at the Coronary Sinus (CS). It was shown that although PM can identify the true source, it also finds several false sources due to the far-field effects and interpolation errors in all three positions. In addition, the detection efficiency strongly depended on the basket location. Recently, a novel tool was developed to analyse any arrhythmia called Directed Graph Mapping (DGM). DGM is based on network theory and creates a directed graph of the excitation pattern, from which the location and the source of the arrhythmia can be detected. Therefore, the objective of the current study was to compare the efficiency of DGM with PM on the basket dataset of this meandering rotor. The DGM-tool was applied for a wide variety of conduction velocities (minimal and maximal), which are input parameters of DGM. Overall we found that DGM was able to distinguish between the true rotor and false rotors for both the SVC and CT basket positions. For example, for the SVC position with a CVmin=0.01cmms, DGM detected the true core with a prevalence of 82% versus 94% for PM. Three false rotors where detected for 39.16% (DGM) versus 100% (PM); 22.64% (DGM) versus 100% (PM); and 0% (DGM) versus 57% (PM). Increasing CVmin to 0.02cmms had a stronger effect on the false rotors than on the true rotor. This led to a detection rate of 56.6% for the true rotor, while all the other false rotors disappeared. A similar trend was observed for the CT position. For the CS position, DGM already had a low performance for the true rotor for CVmin=0.01cmms (14.7%). For CVmin=0.02cmms the false and the true rotors could therefore not be distinguished. We can conclude that DGM can overcome some of the limitations of PM by varying one of its input parameters (CVmin). The true rotor is less dependent on this parameter than the false rotors, which disappear at a CVmin=0.02cmms. In order to increase to detection rate of the true rotor, one can decrease CVmin and discard the new rotors which also appear at lower values of CVmin.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Laura Martinez-Mateu
- Departamento de Teoría de La Señal y Las Comunicaciones y Sistemas Telemáticos y Computación, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, Madrid, Spain
| | - Javier Saiz
- Centro de Investigación e Innovación en Bioingeniería, Universitat Politècnica de València, Valencia, Spain
| | - Alexander V Panfilov
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium; Ural Federal University, Ekaterinburg, Russia; World-Class Research Center "Digital Biodesign and Personalized Healthcare", Sechenov University, Moscow, Russia
| | - Nele Vandersickel
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
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17
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Lee S, Khrestian CM, Sahadevan J, Markowitz A, Waldo AL. New Insights Into Understanding Rotor Versus Focal Activation in Patients With Persistent Atrial Fibrillation. JACC Clin Electrophysiol 2021; 7:909-919. [PMID: 33640352 DOI: 10.1016/j.jacep.2020.12.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2020] [Revised: 11/09/2020] [Accepted: 12/01/2020] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES This study was to test the hypotheses that: 1) when using phase analysis, repetitive Wannabe re-entry produces a phase singularity point (i.e., a rotor); and 2) the location of the stable rotor is close to the focal source. BACKGROUND Recent contact mapping studies in patients with persistent atrial fibrillation (AF) demonstrated that phase analysis produced a different mechanistic result than classical activation sequence analysis. Our studies in patients with persistent AF showed that focal sources sometimes produced repetitive Wannabe re-entry, that is, incomplete re-entry. METHODS During open heart surgery, we recorded activation from both atria simultaneously using 510 to 512 electrodes in 12 patients with persistent AF. We performed activation sequence mapping and phase analyses on 4 s of mapped data. For each detected stable rotor (>2 full rotations [720°] recurring at the same site), the corresponding activation patterns were examined from the activation sequence maps. RESULTS During AF, phase singularity points (rotors) were identified in both atria in all patients. However, stable phase singularity points were only present in 6 of 12 patients. The range of stable phase singularity points per patient was 0 to 6 (total 14). Stable phase singularity points were produced due to repetitive Wannabe re-entry generated from a focal source or by passive activation. A conduction block sometimes created a stable phase singularity point (n = 2). The average distance between a focal source and a stable rotor was 0.9 ± 0.3 cm. CONCLUSIONS Repetitive Wannabe re-entry generated stable rotors adjacent to a focal source. No true re-entry occurred.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seungyup Lee
- Departments of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Celeen M Khrestian
- Departments of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Jayakumar Sahadevan
- Departments of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Alan Markowitz
- Valve Center, Harrington Heart and Vascular Institute, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Albert L Waldo
- Departments of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Cleveland, Ohio, USA.
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18
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Kiuchi K, Fukuzawa K, Takami M, Watanabe Y, Izawa Y, Shigeru M, Oonishi H, Suehiro H, Akita T, Takemoto M, Yatomi A, Nakamura T, Sakai J, Nakasone K, Sonoda Y, Yamamoto K, Takahara H, Negi N, Kyotani K, Kono A, Hirata KI. Feasibility of catheter ablation in patients with persistent atrial fibrillation guided by fragmented late-gadolinium enhancement areas. J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol 2021; 32:1014-1023. [PMID: 33527586 DOI: 10.1111/jce.14925] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2020] [Revised: 12/09/2020] [Accepted: 01/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND A computer simulation model has demonstrated that atrial fibrillation (AF) driver can be attached to heterogeneous fibrosis assessed by late gadolinium enhancement magnetic resonance imaging (LGE-MRI). However, it has not been well elucidated in patients with persistent AF. The aim of this study was to investigate whether radiofrequency (RF) applications in the fragmented LGE area (FLA) could terminate AF or convert it to atrial tachycardia (AT) and improve the rhythm outcome. METHODS A total of 31 consecutive persistent AF patients with FLAs were enrolled (FLA ablation group, mean age: 69 ± 8 years, mean left atrial diameter: 42 ± 6 mm). A favorable response was defined as direct AF termination or AT conversion during RF applications at the FLA. The rhythm outcome was compared between the FLA ablation group and FLA burden-matched pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) group. RESULTS Favorable responses were found in 15 (48%) of 31 patients in the FLA group (AF termination in seven, AT conversion in eight patients), but not in the PVI group. AF recurrence at 12 months follow-up was significantly less in the FLA ablation group than in the PVI group (4 [13%] vs. 12 [39%] of 31 patients, log-rank p = .023). In patients with a favorable response, AT recurred in 1 (7%) of 15 patients, but AF did not. CONCLUSIONS FLA ablation could terminate AF or convert it to AT in half of the patients. No AF recurrence was documented in patients with a favorable response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kunihiko Kiuchi
- Section of Arrhythmia, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe, Japan
| | - Koji Fukuzawa
- Section of Arrhythmia, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe, Japan
| | - Mitsuru Takami
- Section of Arrhythmia, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe, Japan
| | - Yoshiaki Watanabe
- Division of Radiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe, Japan
| | - Yu Izawa
- Section of Arrhythmia, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe, Japan
| | | | | | - Hideya Suehiro
- Section of Arrhythmia, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe, Japan
| | - Tomomi Akita
- Section of Arrhythmia, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe, Japan
| | - Makoto Takemoto
- Section of Arrhythmia, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe, Japan
| | - Atsusuke Yatomi
- Section of Arrhythmia, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe, Japan
| | - Toshihiro Nakamura
- Section of Arrhythmia, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe, Japan
| | - Jun Sakai
- Section of Arrhythmia, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe, Japan
| | - Kazutaka Nakasone
- Section of Arrhythmia, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe, Japan
| | - Yusuke Sonoda
- Section of Arrhythmia, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe, Japan
| | - Kyoko Yamamoto
- Section of Arrhythmia, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Takahara
- Section of Arrhythmia, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe, Japan
| | - Noriyuki Negi
- Division of Diagnostic Imaging, Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Kobe University Hospital, Kobe, Japan
| | - Katsusuke Kyotani
- Division of Diagnostic Imaging, Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Kobe University Hospital, Kobe, Japan
| | - Atsushi Kono
- Division of Radiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe, Japan
| | - Ken-Ichi Hirata
- Section of Arrhythmia, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe, Japan
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19
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Nayyar S, Ha ACT, Timmerman N, Suszko A, Ragot D, Chauhan VS. Focal and pseudo/rotational activations in human atrial fibrillation defined with automated periodicity mapping. J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol 2020; 32:212-223. [PMID: 33179399 DOI: 10.1111/jce.14812] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2020] [Revised: 10/19/2020] [Accepted: 11/01/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Defining atrial fibrillation (AF) wave propagation is challenging unless local signal features are discrete or periodic. Periodic focal or rotational activity may identify AF drivers. Our objective was to characterize AF propagation at sites with periodic activation to evaluate the prevalence and relationship between focal and rotational activation. METHODS We included 80 patients (61 ± 10 years, persistent AF 49%) from the FaST randomized trial that compared the efficacy of adjunctive focal site ablation versus pulmonary vein isolation. Patients underwent left atrial (LA) activation mapping with a 20-pole circular catheter during spontaneous or induced AF. Five-second bipolar and unipolar electrograms in AF were analyzed. Periodic sites were identified by spectral analysis of the bipolar electrogram. Activation maps of periodic sites were constructed using an automated, validated tracking algorithm, and classified into three patterns: focal sites (FS), rotation (RO), or pseudo-rotation (pRO). RESULTS The most common propagation pattern at periodic sites was FS for 5-s in all patients (4.9 ± 1.9 per patient). RO and pRO were observed in two and seven patients, respectively, but were all transient (3-5 cycles). Activation from a FS evolved into transient RO/pRO in five patients. No patient had autonomous RO/pRO activations. Patients with RO/pRO had greater LA surface area with periodicity (78 ± 7 vs. 63 ± 16%, p = .0002) and shorter LA periodicity CL (166 ± 10 vs. 190±28 ms, p = .0001) than the rest. CONCLUSION Using automated, regional AF periodicity mapping, FS is more prevalent and temporally stable than RO/pRO. Most RO/pRO evolve from neighboring FS. These findings and their implications for AF maintenance require verification with global, panoramic mapping.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sachin Nayyar
- Division of Cardiology, Peter Munk Cardiac Centre, Toronto General Hospital, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada
| | - Andrew C T Ha
- Division of Cardiology, Peter Munk Cardiac Centre, Toronto General Hospital, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada
| | - Nicholas Timmerman
- Division of Cardiology, Peter Munk Cardiac Centre, Toronto General Hospital, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada
| | - Adrian Suszko
- Division of Cardiology, Peter Munk Cardiac Centre, Toronto General Hospital, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada
| | - Don Ragot
- Division of Cardiology, Peter Munk Cardiac Centre, Toronto General Hospital, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada
| | - Vijay S Chauhan
- Division of Cardiology, Peter Munk Cardiac Centre, Toronto General Hospital, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada
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20
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Ho G, Lin AY, Krummen DE. Linking Electrical Drivers With Atrial Cardiomyopathy for the Targeted Treatment of Atrial Fibrillation. Front Physiol 2020; 11:570740. [PMID: 33281614 PMCID: PMC7689158 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2020.570740] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2020] [Accepted: 09/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The relationship between atrial fibrillation (AF) and underlying functional and structural abnormalities has received substantial attention in the research literature over the past decade. Significant progress has been made in identifying these changes using non-invasive imaging, voltage mapping, and electrical recordings. Advances in computed tomography and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging can now provide insight regarding the presence and extent of cardiac fibrosis. Additionally, multiple technologies able to identify electrical targets during AF have emerged. However, an organized strategy to employ these resources in the targeted treatment of AF remains elusive. In this work, we will discuss the basis for mechanistic importance of atrial fibrosis and scar as potential sites promoting AF and emerging technologies to identify and target these structural and functional substrates in the electrophysiology laboratory. We also propose an approach to the use of such technologies to serve as a basis for ongoing work in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gordon Ho
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, United States
- Division of Cardiology, Veterans Affairs San Diego Medical Center, San Diego, CA, United States
| | - Andrew Y. Lin
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, United States
- Division of Cardiology, Veterans Affairs San Diego Medical Center, San Diego, CA, United States
| | - David E. Krummen
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, United States
- Division of Cardiology, Veterans Affairs San Diego Medical Center, San Diego, CA, United States
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Lee S, Khrestian CM, Sahadevan J, Waldo AL. Reconsidering the multiple wavelet hypothesis of atrial fibrillation. Heart Rhythm 2020; 17:1976-1983. [PMID: 32585192 DOI: 10.1016/j.hrthm.2020.06.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2020] [Revised: 06/15/2020] [Accepted: 06/17/2020] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Moe and Abildskov proposed the multiple wavelet hypothesis of atrial fibrillation (AF) on the basis of observations in the canine vagal nerve stimulation (VNS) AF model. Data from mapping studies in an in vitro canine AF model by Allessie et al (Allessie MA, Lammers WJEP, Bonke FIM, Hollen SJ. Experimental evaluation of Moe's multiple wavelet hypothesis of atrial fibrillation. In: Zipes DP, Jalife J, eds. Cardiac Electrophysiology and Arrhythmias. Orlando, FL: Grune & Stratton; 1985:265-275.) were used to evaluate the Moe/Abildskov hypothesis, which revealed that a critical number of wavelets sustained AF. OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to reassess VNS mapping data using the same methods used by Allessie to evaluate Moe's multiple wavelet hypothesis. METHODS Using the canine VNS AF model in 6 dogs, 510 unipolar atrial electrograms were recorded simultaneously from both atria. Activation sequence maps were produced from sustained AF during VNS in each dog. Per Allessie, consecutive 10 ms activation windows were analyzed over a period of 300 ms. Repetitive activation analysis was applied to Moe's canine VNS AF model. RESULTS The number of wavefronts in each AF episode was 0-8 in Allessie's studies measured by sequential atrial mapping and 0-10 in our biatrial simultaneous mapping studies. In both studies, an electrically silent period was observed in each atrium and was reactivated by wavefronts emanating from focal sources. Allessie postulated that an electrically silent atrium was reactivated by a wavefront propagating from the other atrium. However, in our biatrial simultaneous mapping studies, each electrically silent atrium was reactivated by a distinct focal source. CONCLUSION Data from both studies showed a similar number of wavefronts, similar AF activation patterns, and periods of electrical atrial silence reactivated by focal sources. Also, in our studies, independent focal sources initiated wavefronts reactivating the atria, thereby explaining the mechanism maintaining AF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seungyup Lee
- Department of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio
| | - Celeen M Khrestian
- Department of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio
| | - Jayakumar Sahadevan
- Department of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio; Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Cleveland, Ohio
| | - Albert L Waldo
- Department of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio; Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Cleveland, Ohio.
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