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Saiz-Vivo J, Abdollahpur M, Mainardi LT, Corino VDA, De Melis M, Hatala R, Sandberg F. Heart rate characteristic based modelling of atrial fibrillatory rate using implanted cardiac monitor data. Physiol Meas 2023; 44. [PMID: 36787645 DOI: 10.1088/1361-6579/acbc08] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2022] [Accepted: 02/14/2023] [Indexed: 02/16/2023]
Abstract
Objective. The objective of the present study is to investigate the feasibility of using heart rate characteristics to estimate atrial fibrillatory rate (AFR) in a cohort of atrial fibrillation (AF) patients continuously monitored with an implantable cardiac monitor. We will use a mixed model approach to investigate population effect and patient specific effects of heart rate characteristics on AFR, and will correct for the effect of previous ablations, episode duration, and onset date and time.Approach. The f-wave signals, from which AFR is estimated, were extracted using a QRST cancellation process of the AF episodes in a cohort of 99 patients (67% male; 57 ± 12 years) monitored for 9.2(0.2-24.3) months as median(min-max). The AFR from 2453 f-wave signals included in the analysis was estimated using a model-based approach. The association between AFR and heart rate characteristics, prior ablations, and episode-related features were modelled using fixed-effect and mixed-effect modelling approaches.Main results. The mixed-effect models had a better fit to the data than fixed-effect models showing h.c. of determination (R2 = 0.49 versusR2 = 0.04) when relating the variations of AFR to the heart rate features. However, when correcting for the other factors, the mixed-effect model showed the best fit (R2 = 0.04). AFR was found to be significantly affected by previous catheter ablations (p< 0.05), episode duration (p< 0.05), and irregularity of theRRinterval series (p< 0.05).Significance. Mixed-effect models are more suitable for AFR modelling. AFR was shown to be faster in episodes with longer duration, less organizedRRintervals and after several ablation procedures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Javier Saiz-Vivo
- Medtronic: Bakken Research Center, Maastricht, The Netherlands.,Department of Electronics, Information and Bioengineering, Politecnico di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Luca T Mainardi
- Department of Electronics, Information and Bioengineering, Politecnico di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Valentina D A Corino
- Department of Electronics, Information and Bioengineering, Politecnico di Milano, Milan, Italy.,Cardiotech Lab, Centro Cardiologico Monzino IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | - Mirko De Melis
- Medtronic: Bakken Research Center, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Robert Hatala
- Department of Cardiology and Angiology, Division of Arrhythmias and Cardiac Pacing, National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases and Slovak Medical University, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Frida Sandberg
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
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Buhl R, Hesselkilde EM, Carstensen H, Hopster‐Iversen C, van Loon G, Decloedt A, Van Steenkiste G, Marr C, Reef VB, Schwarzwald CC, Mitchell KJ, Nostell K, Nogradi N, Nielsen SS, Carlson J, Platonov P. Atrial fibrillatory rate as predictor of recurrence of atrial fibrillation in horses treated medically or with electrical cardioversion. Equine Vet J 2022; 54:1013-1022. [PMID: 34957586 PMCID: PMC9787611 DOI: 10.1111/evj.13551] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2021] [Accepted: 12/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The recurrence rate of atrial fibrillation (AF) in horses after cardioversion to sinus rhythm (SR) is relatively high. Atrial fibrillatory rate (AFR) derived from surface ECG is considered a biomarker for electrical remodelling and could potentially be used for the prediction of successful AF cardioversion and AF recurrence. OBJECTIVES Evaluate if AFR was associated with successful treatment and could predict AF recurrence in horses. STUDY DESIGN Retrospective multicentre study. METHODS Electrocardiograms (ECG) from horses with persistent AF admitted for cardioversion with either medical treatment (quinidine) or transvenous electrical cardioversion (TVEC) were included. Bipolar surface ECG recordings were analysed by spatiotemporal cancellation of QRST complexes and calculation of AFR from the remaining atrial signal. Kaplan-Meier survival curve and Cox regression analyses were performed to assess the relationship between AFR and the risk of AF recurrence. RESULTS Of the 195 horses included, 74 received quinidine treatment and 121 were treated with TVEC. Ten horses did not cardiovert to SR after quinidine treatment and AFR was higher in these, compared with the horses that successfully cardioverted to SR (median [interquartile range]), (383 [367-422] vs 351 [332-389] fibrillations per minute (fpm), P < .01). Within the first 180 days following AF cardioversion, 12% of the quinidine and 34% of TVEC horses had AF recurrence. For the horses successfully cardioverted with TVEC, AFR above 380 fpm was significantly associated with AF recurrence (hazard ratio = 2.4, 95% confidence interval 1.2-4.8, P = .01). MAIN LIMITATIONS The treatment groups were different and not randomly allocated, therefore the two treatments cannot be compared. Medical records and the follow-up strategy varied between the centres. CONCLUSIONS High AFR is associated with failure of quinidine cardioversion and AF recurrence after successful TVEC. As a noninvasive marker that can be retrieved from surface ECG, AFR can be clinically useful in predicting the probability of responding to quinidine treatment as well as maintaining SR after electrical cardioversion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rikke Buhl
- Department of Veterinary Clinical SciencesFaculty of Health and Medical SciencesUniversity of CopenhagenCopenhagenDenmark
| | - Eva M. Hesselkilde
- Department of Veterinary Clinical SciencesFaculty of Health and Medical SciencesUniversity of CopenhagenCopenhagenDenmark
| | - Helena Carstensen
- Department of Veterinary Clinical SciencesFaculty of Health and Medical SciencesUniversity of CopenhagenCopenhagenDenmark
| | - Charlotte Hopster‐Iversen
- Department of Veterinary Clinical SciencesFaculty of Health and Medical SciencesUniversity of CopenhagenCopenhagenDenmark
| | - Gunther van Loon
- Equine CardioteamDepartment of Large Animal Internal MedicineGhent UniversityMerelbekeBelgium
| | - Annelies Decloedt
- Equine CardioteamDepartment of Large Animal Internal MedicineGhent UniversityMerelbekeBelgium
| | - Glenn Van Steenkiste
- Equine CardioteamDepartment of Large Animal Internal MedicineGhent UniversityMerelbekeBelgium
| | | | - Virginia B. Reef
- Department of Clinical Studies New Bolton CenterUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary MedicineKennett SquarePennsylvaniaUSA
| | | | | | - Katarina Nostell
- Department of Clinical SciencesFaculty of Veteirnary SciencesSwedish University of Agricultural SciencesUppsalaSweden
| | | | - Søren S. Nielsen
- Department of Veterinary SciencesFaculty of Health and Medical SciencesUniversity of CopenhagenCopenhagenDenmark
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Ko KY, Jang JH, Choi SH, Baek YS, Kwon SW, Park SD, Woo SI, Kim DH, Shin SH. Impact of right atrial enlargement on clinical outcome in patients with atrial fibrillation. Front Cardiovasc Med 2022; 9:989012. [PMID: 36211539 PMCID: PMC9537634 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2022.989012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2022] [Accepted: 09/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BackgroundLeft atrial (LA) remodeling is associated with adverse cardiovascular events, including heart failure (HF) and stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). However, there are limited data on the value of right atrial (RA) remodeling in this population. We investigated the prognostic role of RA enlargement in patients with non-valvular AF.Methods and resultsWe analyzed 254 consecutive patients (age = 69 ± 12years, male:female = 165:89, mean left ventricular ejection fraction = 58.0 ± 7.2%) with non-valvular AF who underwent two-dimensional echocardiography from a single center. RA and LA volumes were measured from apical views and indexed to the body surface areas (right atrial volume index [RAVI] and left atrial volume index [LAVI]) and RAVI > 30mL/m2 and LAVI > 34mL/m2 were considered as enlarged. The relationship between RA enlargement and composite clinical outcome of hospitalization for HF (HHF), stroke, systemic embolism, or death from any cause was assessed. Right atrial (RA) enlargement was associated with older age and more frequent prevalence of persistent or permanent AF. During a median follow-up of 47.1 months, 77 patients (30%) had experienced primary composite outcome. In a multivariable model, RA enlargement, but not LA enlargement, was independently associated with adverse clinical outcomes even after adjusting for clinical and echocardiographic factors {adjusted hazard ratio [HR], 1.90 [95% confidence interval (CI), 1.14–3.18], p = 0.014 for primary composite outcome; adjusted HR, 2.70 [95% CI, 1.27–5.67], p = 0.001 for HHF or all cause death}.ConclusionRA enlargement was independently associated with an increased risk of HF, stroke, systemic embolization or death in patients with non-valvular AF, suggesting that RA volume can be helpful in assessing future cardiovascular risk in this population.
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Cappato R, Ezekowitz MD, Hohnloser SH, Meng IL, Wosnitza M, Camm AJ. Predictors of sinus rhythm 6 weeks after cardioversion of atrial fibrillation: a pre-planned post hoc analysis of the X-VeRT trial. Europace 2021; 23:1539-1547. [PMID: 34128075 DOI: 10.1093/europace/euab084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2021] [Accepted: 03/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
AIMS Using a pre-planned post hoc analysis of patients included in X-VeRT, we evaluated predictors of sinus rhythm at 6 weeks after planned cardioversion. METHODS AND RESULTS Receiver operating characteristic curves and logistic regression models were used to evaluate continuous and categorical variables as predictors of sinus rhythm 6 at weeks from cardioversion (end of study). The primary analysis was performed in successfully cardioverted patients with an evaluable electrocardiogram at end of study. A second analysis evaluated additional patients who spontaneously restored sinus rhythm before planned cardioversion. Of the 1504 patients with atrial fibrillation of >48 h or of unknown duration who were randomly assigned to either rivaroxaban or vitamin K antagonist, 1039 (64.6 ± 10.3 years, 73.4% male) underwent planned cardioversion and were included in this study. Patients receiving early cardioversion (i.e. between 1 and 5 days from hospitalization) had a 67% higher probability to have sinus rhythm at end of study than those who received delayed cardioversion (i.e. between 21 and 56 days from hospitalization) [odds ratio (OR) 1.67, confidence interval (CI) 1.27-2.18; P < 0.0001]. In a multivariate analysis of 17 baseline variables, patients with a CHADS2 score of 0 were 33% less likely to be in sinus rhythm than those with a CHADS2 score ≥2 (OR 0.66, CI 0.47-0.94; P = 0.0225). In the secondary analysis, spontaneous restoration of sinus rhythm was also found to predict sinus rhythm at end of study (OR 8.62, CI 1.54-48.16; P = 0.0142). CONCLUSION In X-VeRT, early cardioversion and high CHADS2 scores predicted sinus rhythm at 6 weeks from cardioversion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Riccardo Cappato
- Arrhythmia & Electrophysiology Center, IRCCS Gruppo MultiMedica, Sesto San Giovanni, Milan, Italy
| | - Michael D Ezekowitz
- The Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University and Lankenau Heart Center and Bryn Mawr Hospital, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Stefan H Hohnloser
- Division of Clinical Electrophysiology, Department of Cardiology, J.W. Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany
| | | | | | - Arthur John Camm
- Cardiology Clinical Academic Group, St. George's, University of London, London, UK
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P Wave Duration/P Wave Voltage Ratio Plays a Promising Role in the Prediction of Atrial Fibrillation: A New Player in the Game. Cardiol Res Pract 2021; 2021:8876704. [PMID: 34194825 PMCID: PMC8181101 DOI: 10.1155/2021/8876704] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2020] [Revised: 11/20/2020] [Accepted: 05/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common sustained arrhythmia in clinical practice. Identification of patients at risk for developing AF and the opportunity for early targeted intervention might have a significant impact on morbidity and mortality. Prolonged P wave duration and decreased P wave voltage have been shown to be independent predictors of AF. The present study aimed to investigate the role of P wave duration/P wave voltage in predicting new-onset AF. Methods We screened a total of 640 consecutive patients who admitted to cardiology outpatient clinic with a complaint of palpitation between 2012 and 2014. 24-h Holter monitoring, echocardiography, and electrocardiography (ECG) recordings were reviewed to identify new-onset AF. Patients were assigned into two groups based on presence (n = 150) and absence (n = 490) of new-onset AF. Previous ECGs with sinus rhythm were analyzed. P wave duration was measured in inferior leads, and P wave voltage was measured in lead one. P wave duration/P wave voltage was also calculated for each patient. Results One hundred fifty subjects (23.4%) had new-onset AF among 640 patients. P wave duration (123.27 ± 12.87 vs. 119.33 ± 17.39 ms, p=0.024) and P wave duration/P wave voltage (1284.70 ± 508.03 vs. 924.14 ± 462.06 ms/mV, p < 0.001) were higher, and P wave voltage (0.12 ± 0.04 vs. 0.13 ± 0.04 mV, p < 0.001) was significantly lower in the new-onset AF group compared with non-AFs. P wave duration/P wave voltage, with a cut off of 854.5 ms/mV, had 83.3% sensitivity and 62.0% specificity in a receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC 0.728, 95% CI 0.687-0.769; p < 0.001). Their negative and positive predictive values were 78.7% and 68.6%, respectively. In a univariate regression analysis, age, smoking, C-reactive protein, brain natriuretic peptide, left atrial diameter, left atrial volume index, P wave duration, P wave voltage, and P wave duration/P wave voltage were significantly associated with the development of new-onset AF. Moreover, smoking (OR 4.008, 95% CI 1.707-9.409; p=0.001), left atrial volume index (OR 7.108, 95% CI 4.400-11.483; p < 0.001), and P wave duration/P wave voltage (OR 1.002, 95% CI 1.000-1.003; p=0.044) were found to be significant independent predictors of new-onset AF in a multivariate analysis, after adjusting for other risk parameters. Conclusion The P wave duration/P wave voltage ratio is a practical, easy-to-use, cheap, and reliable electrocardiographic parameter, which can play a promising role for both in predicting and elucidating a mechanism of new-onset AF.
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Abdollahpur M, Holmqvist F, Platonov PG, Sandberg F. Respiratory Induced Modulation in f-Wave Characteristics During Atrial Fibrillation. Front Physiol 2021; 12:653492. [PMID: 33897462 PMCID: PMC8060635 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2021.653492] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2021] [Accepted: 03/12/2021] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
The autonomic nervous system (ANS) is an important factor in cardiac arrhythmia, and information about ANS activity during atrial fibrillation (AF) may contribute to personalized treatment. In this study we aim to quantify respiratory modulation in the f-wave frequency trend from resting ECG. First, an f-wave signal is extracted from the ECG by QRST cancelation. Second, an f-wave model is fitted to the f-wave signal to obtain a high resolution f-wave frequency trend and an index for signal quality control ( S ). Third, respiratory modulation in the f-wave frequency trend is extracted by applying a narrow band-pass filter. The center frequency of the band-pass filter is determined by the respiration rate. Respiration rate is estimated from a surrogate respiration signal, obtained from the ECG using homomorphic filtering. Peak conditioned spectral averaging, where spectra of sufficient quality from different leads are averaged, is employed to obtain a robust estimate of the respiration rate. The envelope of the filtered f-wave frequency trend is used to quantify the magnitude of respiratory induced f-wave frequency modulation. The proposed methodology is evaluated using simulated f-wave signals obtained using a sinusoidal harmonic model. Results from simulated signals show that the magnitude of the respiratory modulation is accurately estimated, quantified by an error below 0.01 Hz, if the signal quality is sufficient ( S > 0 . 5 ). The proposed method was applied to analyze ECG data from eight pacemaker patients with permanent AF recorded at baseline, during controlled respiration, and during controlled respiration after injection of atropine, respectively. The magnitude of the respiratory induce f-wave frequency modulation was 0.15 ± 0.01, 0.18 ± 0.02, and 0.17 ± 0.03 Hz during baseline, controlled respiration, and post-atropine, respectively. Our results suggest that parasympathetic regulation affects the magnitude of respiratory induced f-wave frequency modulation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Fredrik Holmqvist
- Department of Cardiology, Clinical Sciences, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Pyotr G Platonov
- Department of Cardiology, Clinical Sciences, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Frida Sandberg
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
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Black-Maier EW, Pokorney SD, Barnett AS, Liu P, Shrader P, Ng J, Goldberger JJ, Zareba W, Daubert JP, Grant AO, Piccini JP. Ranolazine reduces atrial fibrillatory wave frequency. Europace 2018; 19:1096-1100. [PMID: 27756767 DOI: 10.1093/europace/euw200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2016] [Accepted: 06/06/2016] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Aims Antiarrhythmic medications for the treatment of atrial fibrillation (AF) have limited efficacy and rare but potentially life-threatening side effects. Ranolazine is an antianginal agent that may have antiarrhythmic activity in AF. Methods and results Using the Duke Enterprise Data Unified Content Explorer database, we analysed a cohort of AF patients on ranolazine. Patients served as their own historic control. Electrocardiograms (ECGs) were analysed before and after ranolazine initiation to determine the effect of ranolazine on dominant frequency (DF), f-wave amplitude, and organizational index (OI). We identified 15 patients with ECGs in AF before and after ranolazine. Ranolazine was associated with lower DF by an average of 10% (5.10 ± 0.74 vs. 5.79 ± 0.96 Hz, P = 0.04) but not with changes in OI (0.47 ± 0.11 vs. 0.50 ± 0.12, P = 0.71) or amplitude (0.47 ± 0.43 vs. 0.41 ± 0.40 mV, P = 0.82). Ranolazine was also associated with lower DF in patients (n = 10) not on concomitant antiarrhythmic therapy (5.25 ± 0.78 vs. 6.03 ± 0.79 Hz, P = 0.04). Conclusion Ranolazine is associated with lower AF DF but no change in OI or fibrillatory wave amplitude. Prospective trials are needed to evaluate ranolazine's potential as a novel antiarrhythmic drug for AF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric W Black-Maier
- Duke Center for Atrial Fibrillation and Cardiac Electrophysiology Section, Duke University Medical Center, Duke Clinical Research Institute, PO Box 17969, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Sean D Pokorney
- Duke Center for Atrial Fibrillation and Cardiac Electrophysiology Section, Duke University Medical Center, Duke Clinical Research Institute, PO Box 17969, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Adam S Barnett
- Duke Center for Atrial Fibrillation and Cardiac Electrophysiology Section, Duke University Medical Center, Duke Clinical Research Institute, PO Box 17969, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Peter Liu
- Duke Center for Atrial Fibrillation and Cardiac Electrophysiology Section, Duke University Medical Center, Duke Clinical Research Institute, PO Box 17969, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Peter Shrader
- Duke Center for Atrial Fibrillation and Cardiac Electrophysiology Section, Duke University Medical Center, Duke Clinical Research Institute, PO Box 17969, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Jason Ng
- Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | | | | | - James P Daubert
- Duke Center for Atrial Fibrillation and Cardiac Electrophysiology Section, Duke University Medical Center, Duke Clinical Research Institute, PO Box 17969, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Augustus O Grant
- Duke Center for Atrial Fibrillation and Cardiac Electrophysiology Section, Duke University Medical Center, Duke Clinical Research Institute, PO Box 17969, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Jonathan P Piccini
- Duke Center for Atrial Fibrillation and Cardiac Electrophysiology Section, Duke University Medical Center, Duke Clinical Research Institute, PO Box 17969, Durham, NC 27710, USA
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Mah DY, Shakti D, Gauvreau K, Colan SD, Alexander ME, Abrams DJ, Brown DW. Relation of Left Atrial Size to Atrial Fibrillation in Patients Aged ≤22 Years. Am J Cardiol 2017; 119:52-56. [PMID: 27780555 DOI: 10.1016/j.amjcard.2016.09.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2016] [Revised: 09/13/2016] [Accepted: 09/13/2016] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Left atrial (LA) dilation has been shown to be associated with atrial fibrillation (AF) in the adult population, with some studies indicating that larger LAs are more prone to AF recurrence. The relation of LA size to AF in the pediatric and young adult population has not been investigated. In this study, all pediatric patients (aged ≤22 years) who presented to Boston Children's Hospital from January 2002 to December 2012 with AF were reviewed. Patients with significant congenital heart disease, cardiomyopathies, proven channelopathies, previous cardiac surgery, end-stage renal disease, or severe lung disease/cystic fibrosis were excluded. LA measurements were taken using the echocardiogram performed at the initial presentation. In total, 48 patients with AF were identified. The median age at presentation was 17.1 years (range 3.7 to 22.9 years); 38 patients (79%) were men. Eleven patients (23%) had at least 1 recurrence of their AF. There was no difference in body mass index, prevalence of systemic hypertension, alcohol, stimulant, or illicit drug use between those who had an isolated episode of AF and those who had a recurrence. There was no significant difference in LA dimension Z-scores between groups, with only 2 patients (1 isolated AF, 1 recurrent AF) having Z-scores >2. In conclusion, AF in the young without underlying heart disease is not associated with LA dilation.
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Lankveld T, de Vos CB, Limantoro I, Zeemering S, Dudink E, Crijns HJ, Schotten U. Systematic analysis of ECG predictors of sinus rhythm maintenance after electrical cardioversion for persistent atrial fibrillation. Heart Rhythm 2016; 13:1020-1027. [DOI: 10.1016/j.hrthm.2016.01.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2015] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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Goldberger JJ, Arora R, Green D, Greenland P, Lee DC, Lloyd-Jones DM, Markl M, Ng J, Shah SJ. Evaluating the Atrial Myopathy Underlying Atrial Fibrillation: Identifying the Arrhythmogenic and Thrombogenic Substrate. Circulation 2015. [PMID: 26216085 DOI: 10.1161/circulationaha.115.016795] [Citation(s) in RCA: 179] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Atrial disease or myopathy forms the substrate for atrial fibrillation (AF) and underlies the potential for atrial thrombus formation and subsequent stroke. Current diagnostic approaches in patients with AF focus on identifying clinical predictors with the evaluation of left atrial size by echocardiography serving as the sole measure specifically evaluating the atrium. Although the atrial substrate underlying AF is likely developing for years before the onset of AF, there is no current evaluation to identify the preclinical atrial myopathy. Atrial fibrosis is 1 component of the atrial substrate that has garnered recent attention based on newer MRI techniques that have been applied to visualize atrial fibrosis in humans with prognostic implications regarding the success of treatment. Advanced ECG signal processing, echocardiographic techniques, and MRI imaging of fibrosis and flow provide up-to-date approaches to evaluate the atrial myopathy underlying AF. Although thromboembolic risk is currently defined by clinical scores, their predictive value is mediocre. Evaluation of stasis via imaging and biomarkers associated with thrombogenesis may provide enhanced approaches to assess risk for stroke in patients with AF. Better delineation of the atrial myopathy that serves as the substrate for AF and thromboembolic complications might improve treatment outcomes. Furthermore, better delineation of the pathophysiologic mechanisms underlying the development of the atrial substrate for AF, particularly in its earlier stages, could help identify blood and imaging biomarkers that could be useful to assess risk for developing new-onset AF and suggest specific pathways that could be targeted for prevention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey J Goldberger
- From Division of Cardiology (J.J.G., R.A., D.C.L., J.N., S.J.S.) and Division of Hematology (D.G.), Department of Medicine, Department of Preventive Medicine (P.G., D.M.L.-J.), and Department of Radiology (M.M.), Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL.
| | - Rishi Arora
- From Division of Cardiology (J.J.G., R.A., D.C.L., J.N., S.J.S.) and Division of Hematology (D.G.), Department of Medicine, Department of Preventive Medicine (P.G., D.M.L.-J.), and Department of Radiology (M.M.), Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL
| | - David Green
- From Division of Cardiology (J.J.G., R.A., D.C.L., J.N., S.J.S.) and Division of Hematology (D.G.), Department of Medicine, Department of Preventive Medicine (P.G., D.M.L.-J.), and Department of Radiology (M.M.), Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL
| | - Philip Greenland
- From Division of Cardiology (J.J.G., R.A., D.C.L., J.N., S.J.S.) and Division of Hematology (D.G.), Department of Medicine, Department of Preventive Medicine (P.G., D.M.L.-J.), and Department of Radiology (M.M.), Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL
| | - Daniel C Lee
- From Division of Cardiology (J.J.G., R.A., D.C.L., J.N., S.J.S.) and Division of Hematology (D.G.), Department of Medicine, Department of Preventive Medicine (P.G., D.M.L.-J.), and Department of Radiology (M.M.), Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL
| | - Donald M Lloyd-Jones
- From Division of Cardiology (J.J.G., R.A., D.C.L., J.N., S.J.S.) and Division of Hematology (D.G.), Department of Medicine, Department of Preventive Medicine (P.G., D.M.L.-J.), and Department of Radiology (M.M.), Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL
| | - Michael Markl
- From Division of Cardiology (J.J.G., R.A., D.C.L., J.N., S.J.S.) and Division of Hematology (D.G.), Department of Medicine, Department of Preventive Medicine (P.G., D.M.L.-J.), and Department of Radiology (M.M.), Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL
| | - Jason Ng
- From Division of Cardiology (J.J.G., R.A., D.C.L., J.N., S.J.S.) and Division of Hematology (D.G.), Department of Medicine, Department of Preventive Medicine (P.G., D.M.L.-J.), and Department of Radiology (M.M.), Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL
| | - Sanjiv J Shah
- From Division of Cardiology (J.J.G., R.A., D.C.L., J.N., S.J.S.) and Division of Hematology (D.G.), Department of Medicine, Department of Preventive Medicine (P.G., D.M.L.-J.), and Department of Radiology (M.M.), Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL
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Heo R, Hong GR, Kim YJ, Mancina J, Cho IJ, Shim CY, Chang HJ, Ha JW, Chung N. Automated quantification of left atrial size using three-beat averaging real-time three dimensional Echocardiography in patients with atrial fibrillation. Cardiovasc Ultrasound 2015; 13:38. [PMID: 26306693 PMCID: PMC4548448 DOI: 10.1186/s12947-015-0032-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2015] [Accepted: 08/13/2015] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Left atrial (LA) sizing in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) is crucial for follow-up and outcome. Recently, the automated quantification of LA using the novel three-beat averaging real-time three dimensional echocardiography (3BA-RT3DE) is introduced. The aim of this study was to assess the feasibility and accuracy of 3BA-RT3DE in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). Methods Thirty-one patients with AF (62.8 ± 11.7 years, 67.7 % male) were prospectively recruited to have two dimensional echocardiography (2DE) and 3BA-RT3DE (SC 2000, ACUSON, USA). The maximal left atrial (LA) volume was measured by the conventional prolate-ellipse (PE) and area-length (AL) method using three-beat averaging 2D transthoracic echocardiography and automated software analysis (eSie volume analysis, Siemens Medical Solution, Mountain view, USA); measurements were compared with those obtained by computed tomography (CT). Results Maximal LA volume by 3BA-RT3DE was feasible for all patients. LA volume was 68.4 ± 28.2 by PE-2DE, 89.2 ± 33.1 by AL-2DE, 100.6 ± 31.8 by 3BA-RT3DE, and 131.2 ± 42.2 mL by CT. LA volume from PE-2DE (R2 = 0.48, p < 0.001, ICC = 0.64, p < 0.001), AL-2DE (R2 = 0.47, p < 0.001, ICC = 0.67, p < 0.001), and 3BA-RT3DE (R2 = 0.50, p = 0.001, ICC = 0.65, p < 0.001) showed significant correlations with CT. However, 3BA-RT3DE demonstrated a small degree of underestimation (30.5 mL) of LA volume compared to 2DE-based measurements. Good-quality images from 3BA-RT3DE (n = 16) showed a significantly tighter correlation with images from CT scanning (R2 = 0.60, p = 0.0004, ICC = 0.76, p < 0.001) compared to those of fair quality. Conclusion Automated quantification of LA volume using 3BA-RT3DE is feasible and accurate in patients with AF. An image of good quality is essential for maximizing the value of this method in clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ran Heo
- Division of Cardiology, Severance Cardiovascular Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Geu-Ru Hong
- Division of Cardiology, Severance Cardiovascular Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
| | - Young-Jin Kim
- Department of Radiology, Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Joel Mancina
- Ultrasound Division, Siemens Medical Solution, Mountain View, CA, USA
| | - In-Jeong Cho
- Division of Cardiology, Severance Cardiovascular Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Chi Young Shim
- Division of Cardiology, Severance Cardiovascular Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Hyuk-Jae Chang
- Division of Cardiology, Severance Cardiovascular Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jong-Won Ha
- Division of Cardiology, Severance Cardiovascular Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Namsik Chung
- Division of Cardiology, Severance Cardiovascular Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
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12
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Developing a New Computer-Aided Clinical Decision Support System for Prediction of Successful Postcardioversion Patients with Persistent Atrial Fibrillation. COMPUTATIONAL AND MATHEMATICAL METHODS IN MEDICINE 2015; 2015:527815. [PMID: 26120354 PMCID: PMC4450306 DOI: 10.1155/2015/527815] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2014] [Revised: 02/12/2015] [Accepted: 02/17/2015] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
We propose a new algorithm to predict the outcome of direct-current electric (DCE) cardioversion for atrial fibrillation (AF) patients. AF is the most common cardiac arrhythmia and DCE cardioversion is a noninvasive treatment to end AF and return the patient to sinus rhythm (SR). Unfortunately, there is a high risk of AF recurrence in persistent AF patients; hence clinically it is important to predict the DCE outcome in order to avoid the procedure's side effects. This study develops a feature extraction and classification framework to predict AF recurrence patients from the underlying structure of atrial activity (AA). A multiresolution signal decomposition technique, based on matching pursuit (MP), was used to project the AA over a dictionary of wavelets. Seven novel features were derived from the decompositions and were employed in a quadratic discrimination analysis classification to predict the success of post-DCE cardioversion in 40 patients with persistent AF. The proposed algorithm achieved 100% sensitivity and 95% specificity, indicating that the proposed computational approach captures detailed structural information about the underlying AA and could provide reliable information for effective management of AF.
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13
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When It Comes to Atrial Fibrillation Recurrence, Perhaps We Should Look Both Left and Right. Can J Cardiol 2015; 31:17-9. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cjca.2014.11.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2014] [Revised: 11/20/2014] [Accepted: 11/20/2014] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
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14
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Recurring patterns of atrial fibrillation in surface ECG predict restoration of sinus rhythm by catheter ablation. Comput Biol Med 2014; 54:172-9. [DOI: 10.1016/j.compbiomed.2014.09.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2014] [Revised: 08/13/2014] [Accepted: 09/12/2014] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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15
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Platonov PG, Corino VDA, Seifert M, Holmqvist F, Sornmo L. Atrial fibrillatory rate in the clinical context: natural course and prediction of intervention outcome. Europace 2014; 16 Suppl 4:iv110-iv119. [DOI: 10.1093/europace/euu249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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16
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Luong C, Thompson DJS, Bennett M, Gin K, Jue J, Barnes ME, Colley P, Tsang TSM. Right atrial volume is superior to left atrial volume for prediction of atrial fibrillation recurrence after direct current cardioversion. Can J Cardiol 2014; 31:29-35. [PMID: 25547547 DOI: 10.1016/j.cjca.2014.10.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2014] [Revised: 10/06/2014] [Accepted: 10/08/2014] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The value of right atrial volume as a predictor for recurrence of atrial fibrillation (AF) after direct current cardioversion (DCCV) is unknown. METHODS We sought to compare the performance of right atrial volume indexed to body surface area (RAVI), left atrial diameter, left atrial volume indexed to body surface area (LAVI), and biatrial volume index (BAVI) for the prediction of AF recurrence at 6 months after DCCV. This study included the first 95 consecutive patients from the AF Clinic at a large tertiary care hospital who underwent DCCV and who had an echocardiogram available within 6 months before DCCV. Maximal LAVI, RAVI, and BAVI were determined from the echocardiogram before DCCV. Electrocardiographic and clinical data were acquired at baseline, before cardioversion, and at each clinic visit. RESULTS Of the 95 patients (64 male; mean age, 63 ± 12 years), history of systemic hypertension, diabetes mellitus, heart failure, and transient ischemic attack/stroke was present in 60 (63%), 14 (15%), 27 (28%), and 5 (5%) patients, respectively. Mean duration from AF diagnosis to DCCV was 3.5 ± 5.0 years. At 6 months after DCCV, 53 (56%) had reverted to AF. RAVI had superior predictive ability (area under the receiver operator characteristic curve: RAVI, 0.77; left atrial diameter, 0.54; LAVI, 0.64; and BAVI, 0.70). RAVI ≥ 42 mL/m(2) provided the best accuracy for prediction of recurrence (76% accuracy, 71% sensitivity, 83% specificity, 90% positive predictive value, and 56% negative predictive value). Best accuracy for LAVI was ≥ 48 mL/m(2) (70% accuracy, 53% sensitivity, 79% specificity, 85% positive predictive value; 43% negative predictive value). CONCLUSIONS RAVI is superior to LAVI for the prediction of AF recurrence at 6 months after DCCV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina Luong
- Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Darby J S Thompson
- EMMES Canada, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada; Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Matthew Bennett
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Kenneth Gin
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - John Jue
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Marion E Barnes
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Pamela Colley
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Teresa S M Tsang
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
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Lankveld TAR, Zeemering S, Crijns HJGM, Schotten U. The ECG as a tool to determine atrial fibrillation complexity. Heart 2014; 100:1077-84. [DOI: 10.1136/heartjnl-2013-305149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
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18
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De Clercq D, Decloedt A, Sys SU, Verheyen T, Van Der Vekens N, van Loon G. Atrial fibrillation cycle length and atrial size in horses with and without recurrence of atrial fibrillation after electrical cardioversion. J Vet Intern Med 2014; 28:624-9. [PMID: 24611990 PMCID: PMC4858013 DOI: 10.1111/jvim.12322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2012] [Revised: 11/20/2013] [Accepted: 01/08/2014] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Atrial fibrillation (AF) cycle length (CL) and atrial size have been used in humans to characterize electrical and structural remodeling to predict outcome of cardioversion of AF and risk for AF recurrence (rAF). HYPOTHESIS Atrial fibrillation cycle length can be determined in horses with AF, and AFCL and atrial size are related to risk for rAF. ANIMALS Eighteen horses with naturally occurring AF that were successfully converted to sinus rhythm (SR) by transvenous electrical cardioversion (TVEC). METHODS Prospective study. Horses with severe valvular regurgitation, left atrial enlargement, or that required sedation for catheter placement were excluded. In all horses intra-atrial electrograms were recorded and estimated AF duration and echocardiographic parameters were determined before TVEC. The follow-up time was 1 year after TVEC. RESULTS Atrial fibrillation cycle length could be determined in all horses. The AFCL and the shortest 5th percentile (p5) AFCL in horses with rAF (n = 6 or 33%) were (mean ± SD) 157 ± 28 and 134 ± 24 milliseconds, respectively, and in those maintaining SR (n = 12 or 67%) 166 ± 13 and 141 ± 13 milliseconds, respectively. Significant parameters to predict rAF were (1) the ratios of the p5AFCL to the left atrium (LA) sizes corrected to the size of aorta (AO) and (2) LA sizes corrected to the size of AO. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE Before TVEC, assessment of LA size and atrial electrophysiologic characteristics might help to identify horses at increased risk for AF recurrence.
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Affiliation(s)
- D De Clercq
- Department of Large Animal Internal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium
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19
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Agner BFR, Kuhl JT, Linde JJ, Kofoed KF, Akeson P, Rasmussen BV, Jensen GB, Dixen U. Assessment of left atrial volume and function in patients with permanent atrial fibrillation: comparison of cardiac magnetic resonance imaging, 320-slice multi-detector computed tomography, and transthoracic echocardiography. Eur Heart J Cardiovasc Imaging 2013; 15:532-40. [DOI: 10.1093/ehjci/jet239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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20
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PUMP AGNES, DI BIASE LUIGI, PRICE JUSTIN, MOHANTY PRASANT, BAI RONG, SANTANGELI PASQUALE, MOHANTY SANGHAMITRA, TRIVEDI CHINTAN, YAN RACHELXUE, HORTON RODNEY, SANCHEZ JAVIERE, ZAGRODZKY JASON, BAILEY SHANE, GALLINGHOUSE GJOSEPH, BURKHARDT JDAVID, NATALE ANDREA. Efficacy of Catheter Ablation in Nonparoxysmal Atrial Fibrillation Patients with Severe Enlarged Left Atrium and Its Impact on Left Atrial Structural Remodeling. J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol 2013; 24:1224-31. [DOI: 10.1111/jce.12253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2012] [Revised: 05/27/2013] [Accepted: 06/10/2013] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- AGNES PUMP
- Texas Cardiac Arrhythmia Institute at St. David's Medical Center; Austin Texas USA
- Heart Institute, Faculty of Medicine; University of Pecs; Pecs Hungary
| | - LUIGI DI BIASE
- Texas Cardiac Arrhythmia Institute at St. David's Medical Center; Austin Texas USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering; University of Texas; Austin Texas USA
- Department of Cardiology; University of Foggia; Foggia Italy
- Albert Einstein College of Medicine at Montefiore Hospital; New York USA
| | - JUSTIN PRICE
- Texas Cardiac Arrhythmia Institute at St. David's Medical Center; Austin Texas USA
| | - PRASANT MOHANTY
- Texas Cardiac Arrhythmia Institute at St. David's Medical Center; Austin Texas USA
| | - RONG BAI
- Texas Cardiac Arrhythmia Institute at St. David's Medical Center; Austin Texas USA
- Department of Cardiology; Center of Atrial Fibrillation, Beijing Anzhen Hospital, Capital Medical University; Beijing China
| | - PASQUALE SANTANGELI
- Texas Cardiac Arrhythmia Institute at St. David's Medical Center; Austin Texas USA
- Department of Cardiology; University of Foggia; Foggia Italy
| | - SANGHAMITRA MOHANTY
- Texas Cardiac Arrhythmia Institute at St. David's Medical Center; Austin Texas USA
| | - CHINTAN TRIVEDI
- Texas Cardiac Arrhythmia Institute at St. David's Medical Center; Austin Texas USA
| | - RACHEL XUE YAN
- Texas Cardiac Arrhythmia Institute at St. David's Medical Center; Austin Texas USA
| | - RODNEY HORTON
- Texas Cardiac Arrhythmia Institute at St. David's Medical Center; Austin Texas USA
| | - JAVIER E. SANCHEZ
- Texas Cardiac Arrhythmia Institute at St. David's Medical Center; Austin Texas USA
| | - JASON ZAGRODZKY
- Texas Cardiac Arrhythmia Institute at St. David's Medical Center; Austin Texas USA
| | - SHANE BAILEY
- Texas Cardiac Arrhythmia Institute at St. David's Medical Center; Austin Texas USA
| | | | - J. DAVID BURKHARDT
- Texas Cardiac Arrhythmia Institute at St. David's Medical Center; Austin Texas USA
| | - ANDREA NATALE
- Texas Cardiac Arrhythmia Institute at St. David's Medical Center; Austin Texas USA
- Department of Cardiology; University of Foggia; Foggia Italy
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Guillem MS, Climent AM, Millet J, Arenal Á, Fernández-Avilés F, Jalife J, Atienza F, Berenfeld O. Noninvasive localization of maximal frequency sites of atrial fibrillation by body surface potential mapping. Circ Arrhythm Electrophysiol 2013; 6:294-301. [PMID: 23443619 DOI: 10.1161/circep.112.000167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ablation of high-frequency sources in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) is an effective therapy to restore sinus rhythm. However, this strategy may be ineffective in patients without a significant dominant frequency (DF) gradient. The aim of this study was to investigate whether sites with high-frequency activity in human AF can be identified noninvasively, which should help intervention planning and therapy. METHODS AND RESULTS In 14 patients with a history of AF, 67-lead body surface recordings were simultaneously registered with 15 endocardial electrograms from both atria including the highest DF site, which was predetermined by atrial-wide real-time frequency electroanatomical mapping. Power spectra of surface leads and the body surface location of the highest DF site were compared with intracardiac information. Highest DFs found on specific sites of the torso showed a significant correlation with DFs found in the nearest atrium (ρ=0.96 for right atrium and ρ=0.92 for left atrium) and the DF gradient between them (ρ=0.93). The spatial distribution of power on the surface showed an inverse relationship between the frequencies versus the power spread area, consistent with localized fast sources as the AF mechanism with fibrillatory conduction elsewhere. CONCLUSIONS Spectral analysis of body surface recordings during AF allows a noninvasive characterization of the global distribution of the atrial DFs and the identification of the atrium with the highest frequency, opening the possibility for improved noninvasive personalized diagnosis and treatment.
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22
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Grubitzsch H, Haverkamp W. Atrial Remodelling : Role in Atrial Fibrillation Ablation. J Atr Fibrillation 2012; 5:691. [PMID: 28496795 DOI: 10.4022/jafib.691] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2012] [Revised: 11/02/2012] [Accepted: 11/23/2012] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
There have been considerable advances in understanding the relationship of atrial fibrillation (AF) and atrial remodelling suggesting that remodelling states have a significant impact on treatment results. Therefore, we reviewed the literature about the role of atrial remodelling in AF treatment, focussing on AF ablation. Atrial fibrillatory activity, dominant frequencies (DF), complex fractionated atrial electrograms (CFAE) as well as function, volume, and fibrosis of the - especially left - atrium are most important characteristics for electrical, contractile, and structural remodelling predicting success of AF treatment. In particular, the results of AF ablation, either using catheter-based or surgical techniques, predominantly depend on the degree of structural remodelling, namely dilatation and fibrosis of the left atrium. The available data suggest that recognizing parameters of remodelling as predictors for AF treatment facilitates differentiation between patients who may or may not benefit from the procedure and individualization of AF treatment by adapting lesion sets, by ablating additional targets, by reducing left atrial size, or by applying extended pharmacological treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Wilhelm Haverkamp
- Medizinische Klinik mit Schwerpunkt Kardiologie, Campus Virchow-Klinikum, Charité - Universit?tsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
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Melduni RM, Cullen MW. Role of Left Ventricular Diastolic Dysfunction in Predicting Atrial Fibrillation Recurrence after Successful Electrical Cardioversion. J Atr Fibrillation 2012; 5:654. [PMID: 28496792 PMCID: PMC3602956 DOI: 10.4022/jafib.654] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2012] [Revised: 09/04/2012] [Accepted: 10/24/2012] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The role of left ventricular (LV) diastolic dysfunction in predicting atrial fibrillation (AF) recurrence after successful electrical cardioversion is largely unknown. Studies suggest that there may be a link between abnormal LV compliance and the initial development, and recurrence of AF after electrical cardioversion. Although direct-current cardioversion (DCCV) is a well-established and highly effective method to convert AF to sinus rhythm, it offers little else beyond immediate rate control because it does not address the underlying cause of AF. Preservation of sinus rhythm after successful cardioversion still remains a challenge for clinicians. Despite the use of antiarrhythmic drugs and serial cardioversions, the rate of AF recurrence remains high in the first year. Current evidence suggests that diastolic dysfunction, which is associated with atrial volume and pressure overload, may be a mechanism underlying the perpetuating cycle of AF recurrence following successful electrical cardioversion. Diastolic dysfunction is considered to be a defect in the ability of the myofibrils, which have shortened against a load in systole to eject blood into the high-pressure aorta, to rapidly or completely return to their resting length. Consequently, LV filling is impaired and the non-compliant left ventricle is unable to fill at low pressures. As a result, left atrial and pulmonary vein pressure rises, and electrical and structural remodeling of the atrial myocardium ensues, creating a vulnerable substrate for AF. In this article, we review the current evidence highlighting the association of LV diastolic dysfunction with AF recurrence after successful electrical cardioversion and provide an approach to the management of LV diastolic dysfunction to prevent AF recurrence.
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24
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Providência R, Barra S, Paiva L. The Role of Echocardiography as a Predictor of the Incidence and Progression of Atrial Fibrillation. J Atr Fibrillation 2012; 5:713. [PMID: 28496781 DOI: 10.4022/jafib.713] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2012] [Revised: 08/06/2012] [Accepted: 09/10/2012] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Atrial fibrillation is the most frequent sustained arrhythmia and is an independent risk factor for stroke and death. In recent years, major echocardiographic advances have been made with the development of new techniques and applications that can be extremely useful for the management of these patients. This paper describes the role of echocardiography as a predictor of the incidence and progression of atrial fibrillation. A detailed description of the most relevant studies and recognition of unresolved questions regarding this subject are presented here. A special emphasis will be given on new techniques that allow the assessment of myocardial deformation and their possible role in the way we treat these patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Providência
- Coimbra's Medical School, Coimbra, Portugal.,Cardiology Department, Coimbra's Hospital Centre and University, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Sérgio Barra
- Cardiology Department, Coimbra's Hospital Centre and University, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Luís Paiva
- Cardiology Department, Coimbra's Hospital Centre and University, Coimbra, Portugal
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25
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Alcaraz R, Hornero F, Rieta JJ. Noninvasive time and frequency predictors of long-standing atrial fibrillation early recurrence after electrical cardioversion. PACING AND CLINICAL ELECTROPHYSIOLOGY: PACE 2011; 34:1241-50. [PMID: 21605132 DOI: 10.1111/j.1540-8159.2011.03125.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Several clinical factors have been studied to predict atrial fibrillation (AF) recurrence after electrical cardioversion (ECV) with limited predictive value. METHODS A method able to predict robustly long-standing AF early recurrence by characterizing noninvasively the electrical atrial activity (AA) with parameters related to its time course and spectral features is presented. To this respect, 63 patients (20 men and 43 women; mean age 73.4 ± 9.0 years; under antiarrhythmic drug treatment with amiodarone) who were referred for ECV of persistent AF were studied. During a 4-week follow-up, AF recurrence was observed in 41 patients (65.1%). RESULTS RR variability and the studied AA spectral features, including dominant atrial frequency (DAF), its first harmonic and their amplitude, provided poor statistical differences between groups. On the contrary, f waves power (fWP) and Sample Entropy (SampEn) of the AA behaved as very good predictors. Patients who relapsed to AF presented lower fWP (0.036 ± 0.019 vs 0.081 ± 0.029 n.u.(2) , P < 0.001) and higher SampEn (0.107 ± 0.022 vs 0.086 ± 0.033, P < 0.01). Furthermore, fWP presented the highest predictive accuracy of 82.5%, whereas SampEn provided a 79.4%. The remaining features revealed accuracies lower than 70%. A stepwise discriminant analysis (SDA) provided a model based on fWP and SampEn with 90.5% of accuracy. CONCLUSIONS The fWP has proved to predict long-standing AF early recurrence after ECV and can be combined with SampEn to improve its diagnostic ability. Furthermore, a thorough analysis of the results allowed outlining possible associations between these two features and the concomitant status of atrial remodeling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raúl Alcaraz
- Innovation in Bioengineering Research Group, University of Castilla-La Mancha, Cuenca, Spain.
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26
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Noninvasive estimation of organization in atrial fibrillation as a predictor of sinus rhythm maintenance. J Electrocardiol 2011; 44:171-5. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jelectrocard.2010.10.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2010] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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Kuklik P, Wong CX, Brooks AG, Zebrowski JJ, Sanders P. Role of spiral wave pinning in inhomogeneous active media in the termination of atrial fibrillation by electrical cardioversion. Comput Biol Med 2010; 40:363-72. [PMID: 20167311 DOI: 10.1016/j.compbiomed.2010.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2009] [Revised: 12/28/2009] [Accepted: 02/01/2010] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Atrial fibrillation is the most common type of arrhythmia to affect humans. One of the treatment modalities for atrial fibrillation is an electrical cardioversion. Electrical cardioversion can result in one of three outcomes: an immediate termination of arrhythmic activity, a delayed termination or unsuccessful termination. The mechanism of delayed termination is unknown. Here we present a model of an atrial fibrillation as a coexistence of several spiral waves pinned to the inhomogeneities in active media. We show that in inhomogeneous system delayed termination can be explained as the unpinning of a spiral wave from inhomogeneities and its termination after collision with the edge of the system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pawel Kuklik
- Cardiovascular Research Centre, Department of Cardiology, Royal Adelaide Hospital, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia.
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28
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Alcaraz R, Rieta J. A review on sample entropy applications for the non-invasive analysis of atrial fibrillation electrocardiograms. Biomed Signal Process Control 2010. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bspc.2009.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 121] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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Husser D, Stridh M, Sörnmo L, Roden DM, Darbar D, Bollmann A. A genotype-dependent intermediate ECG phenotype in patients with persistent lone atrial fibrillation genotype ECG-phenotype correlation in atrial fibrillation. Circ Arrhythm Electrophysiol 2009; 2:24-8. [PMID: 19305639 DOI: 10.1161/circep.108.799098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Atrial fibrillation (AF) is heterogeneous at the clinical and molecular levels. Association studies have reported that common single-nucleotide polymorphisms in KCNE1 and SCN5A may predispose to AF. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that specific AF-associated genotypes confer variation on the appearance of AF assessed by analysis of fibrillatory rate of the atria. METHODS AND RESULTS Twenty-six nonrelated patients (21 males, mean age 55+/-12 years) with persistent lone AF (median AF duration 5 weeks) not taking class I or III antiarrhythmic drugs were studied. Fibrillatory rate was obtained by spatiotemporal QRST cancellation and time-frequency analysis of the index surface ECG. Genotypes at the AF-associated loci in KCNE1 (S38G) and SCN5A (H558R) were determined by direct DNA sequencing. The atrial fibrillatory rate was 418+/-50 fibrillations per minute (range, 336 to 521) in the study cohort. Carriers of the 38GG KCNE1 genotype (n=13) had significantly lower fibrillatory rates (392+/-36 versus 443+/-49 fibrillations per minute, P0.006) compared to those with GS or SS genotype (n=13). Six patients (23%) with fibrillatory rates >450 fibrillations per minute, all had either the GS or SS genotype (Chi2 P0.008). In contrast, both the heterozygeous and homozygeous SCN5A H558R polymorphism had no effect on fibrillatory rate. There were no significant associations between fibrillatory rate and clinical (age, gender, AF duration, drug treatment) or echocardiographic (left atrial diameter, left ventricular ejection fraction) variables. In multivariable regression analysis, the KCNE1 S38G genotype (SS/GS coded 0, GG coded 1) was the only independent predictor of fibrillatory rate (beta = -0.437, P = 0.006) with a SE of the estimate of 44 fibrillations per minute. CONCLUSIONS This study suggests that atrial fibrillatory rate obtained from the surface ECG is at least in part determined by KCNE1 (S38G) genotype, implying that this variant exerts functional effects on atrial electrophysiology. This intermediate ECG phenotype may be useful for elaborating genetic influences on AF mechanisms and identifying subsets of patients for variability in AF susceptibility or response to therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Husser
- Department of Electrophysiology, Heart Center, Leipzig University, Germany.
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Perez MV, Dewey FE, Marcus R, Ashley EA, Al-Ahmad AA, Wang PJ, Froelicher VF. Electrocardiographic predictors of atrial fibrillation. Am Heart J 2009; 158:622-8. [PMID: 19781423 DOI: 10.1016/j.ahj.2009.08.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 92] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2009] [Accepted: 08/06/2009] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most prevalent arrhythmia in the United States and accounts for more than 750,000 strokes per year. Noninvasive predictors of AF may help identify patients at risk of developing AF. Our objective was to identify the electrocardiographic characteristics associated with onset of AF. METHODS This was a retrospective cohort analysis of 42,751 patients with electrocardiograms (ECGs) ordered by physician's discretion and analyzed using a computerized system. The population was followed for detection of AF on subsequent ECGs. Cox proportional hazard regression analysis was performed to test the association between these ECG characteristics and development of AF. RESULTS For a mean follow-up of 5.3 years, 1,050 (2.4%) patients were found to have AF on subsequent ECG recordings. Several ECG characteristics, such as P-wave dispersion (the difference between the widest and narrowest P waves), premature atrial contractions, and an abnormal P axis, were predictive of AF with hazard ratio of approximately 2 after correcting for age and sex. P-wave index, the SD of P-wave duration across all leads, was one of the strongest predictors of AF with a concordance index of 0.62 and a hazard ratio of 2.7 (95% CI 2.1-3.3) for a P-wave index >35. These were among the several independently predictive markers identified on multivariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS Several ECG markers are independently predictive of future onset of AF. The P index, a measurement of disorganized atrial depolarization, is one of the strongest predictors of AF. The ECG contains valuable prognostic information that can identify patients at risk of AF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco V Perez
- Cardiovascular Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA.
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Holmqvist F, Carlson J, Waktare JEP, Platonov PG. Noninvasive evidence of shortened atrial refractoriness during sinus rhythm in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. PACING AND CLINICAL ELECTROPHYSIOLOGY: PACE 2009; 32:302-7. [PMID: 19272058 DOI: 10.1111/j.1540-8159.2008.02236.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Shortening of the atrial refractory period is the key feature of atrial electrical remodeling during atrial fibrillation (AF). During sinus rhythm (SR), assessment of the atrial refractoriness is hampered by the fact that the atrial repolarization wave (Ta wave) is largely obscured by the following QRST complex. The purpose of this study was to study the Ta wave in subjects with paroxysmal AF during SR with third-degree atrioventricular (AV) block, and in matched controls. METHODS Fifteen patients (mean age 70 +/- 10 years, five males) with paroxysmal AF undergoing AV-nodal ablation were studied. Fifteen age- and gender-matched subjects (mean age 71 +/- 9 years, five males) with third-degree AV block, without a history of heart disease, were used as controls. Standard 12-lead electrocardiograms (ECGs) were recorded and transformed to orthogonal leads and studied using P-wave signal averaging technique. RESULTS The P to Ta interval was shorter (408 +/- 47 ms vs 451 +/- 53 ms, P = 0.017) and in Lead Y the Ta peak location was earlier (156 +/- 31 ms vs 187 +/- 34 ms, P = 0.002) in subjects with paroxysmal AF than in the controls. The P-wave duration (126 +/- 15 ms vs 129 +/- 17 ms, P = 0.59) and morphology was similar in AF patients and controls. CONCLUSIONS In this study, the ECG signs of shorter atrial refractoriness associated with a history of AF are visualized for the first time during SR. The finding of the earlier location of the PTa peak in AF subjects implies that a possible indicator of increased arrhythmia susceptibility may be visible already in the unprocessed ECG.
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GUILLEM MARIAS, CLIMENT ANDREUM, CASTELLS FRANCISCO, HUSSER DANIELA, MILLET JOSE, ARYA ARASH, PIORKOWSKI CHRISTOPHER, BOLLMANN ANDREAS. Noninvasive Mapping of Human Atrial Fibrillation. J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol 2009; 20:507-13. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1540-8167.2008.01356.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Efremidis M, Alexanian IP, Oikonomou D, Manolatos D, Letsas KP, Pappas LK, Gavrielatos G, Vadiaka M, Mihas CC, Filippatos GS, Sideris A, Kardaras F. Predictors of atrial fibrillation recurrence in patients with long-lasting atrial fibrillation. Can J Cardiol 2009; 25:e119-24. [PMID: 19340356 DOI: 10.1016/s0828-282x(09)70070-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Limited data are available on the predictors of atrial fibrillation (AF) recurrence in patients with chronic AF. OBJECTIVES To evaluate potential clinical, echocardiographic and electrophysiological predictors of AF recurrence, after internal cardioversion for long-lasting AF. METHODS A total of 99 consecutive patients (63 men and 36 women, mean age 63.33+/-9.27 years) with long-standing AF (52.42+/-72.02 months) underwent internal cardioversion with a catheter that consisted of two defibrillating coils. Shocks were delivered according to a step-up protocol. Clinical follow-up and electrocardiographic recordings were performed on a monthly basis for a 12-month period or whenever patients experienced symptoms suggestive of recurrent AF. RESULTS Ninety-three patients (93.94%) underwent a successful uncomplicated cardioversion, with a mean atrial defibrillation threshold of 10.69+/-6.76 J. Immediate reinitiation of AF was observed in 15 patients (15.78%) of whom a repeated cardioversion restored sinus rhythm in 13 cases. Early recurrence of AF (within one week) was observed in 12 of 93 patients (12.90%). At the end of the 12-month follow-up period, during which seven patients were lost, 42 of the 86 remaining patients (48.84%) were still in sinus rhythm. Multivariate regression analysis showed that left atrial diameter (OR 1.126, 95% CI 1.015 to 1.249; P=0.025) and mitral A wave velocity (OR 0.972, 95% CI 0.945 to 0.999; P=0.044) were significant and independent predictors of AF recurrence, whereas age, left ventricular ejection fraction and AF cycle length were not predictive of arrhythmia recurrence. CONCLUSION The present study showed that the left atrial diameter and mitral A wave velocity are the only variables associated with AF recurrence after successful cardioversion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michalis Efremidis
- Second Department of Cardiology, Evangelismos General Hospital of Athens, Athens, Greece.
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Alcaraz R, Rieta JJ. Time and frequency recurrence analysis of persistent atrial fibrillation after electrical cardioversion. Physiol Meas 2009; 30:479-89. [PMID: 19369714 DOI: 10.1088/0967-3334/30/5/005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Electrical cardioversion (ECV) has become a mainstay of therapy for the treatment of persistent atrial fibrillation (AF), which is an arrhythmia that affects up to 1% of the general population. The procedure is initially effective, but it is also characterized by a high rate of AF recurrence. As a consequence, it would be clinically useful to predict normal sinus rhythm (NSR) maintenance after ECV before it is attempted. In this respect, several clinical, echocardiographic and demographic parameters have been analyzed by other authors. However, these indices are weak predictors of ECV outcome. In this work, surface electrocardiographic (ECG) recordings were used to extract the atrial activity (AA) signal and parametrize the fibrillatory (f) waves, both in time and frequency, to obtain AF recurrence predictors. Parameters as f waves amplitude (fWA), AA mean power, dominant atrial frequency (DAF), its first harmonic, etc were studied. Obtained results showed that fWA was the most significant predictor of AF recurrence 1 month later. Concretely, 72.73% of the patients resulting in NSR, 83.87% relapsing to AF and 80.0% with unsuccessful ECV, were correctly identified. Therefore, fWA classified satisfactorily 79.37% of the analyzed patients. In addition, a forward stepwise discriminant analysis, with a leave-one-out cross validation approach, proved that fWA and DAF combination provided an improved diagnostic ability of 85.71%. In this case 86.36%, 83.87% and 90% of the patients who resulted in NSR, relapsed to AF and with unsuccessful ECV, were correctly discerned, respectively. In conclusion, fWA could be considered as a promising predictor of ECV outcome during the first month following the procedure. Additionally, time and frequency indices could yield complementary information useful to predict the cardioversion outcome. Finally, further studies are needed to validate the robustness of these parameters and the repeatability of the obtained results on wider databases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raúl Alcaraz
- Innovation in Bioengineering Research Group, University of Castilla-La Mancha, Campus Universitario, 16071 Cuenca, Spain.
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Sörnmo L, Stridh M, Husser D, Bollmann A, Olsson SB. Analysis of atrial fibrillation: from electrocardiogram signal processing to clinical management. PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS. SERIES A, MATHEMATICAL, PHYSICAL, AND ENGINEERING SCIENCES 2009; 367:235-253. [PMID: 18952548 DOI: 10.1098/rsta.2008.0162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
The analysis of atrial fibrillation in non-invasive ECG recordings has received considerable attention in recent years, spurring the development of signal processing techniques for more advanced characterization of the atrial waveforms than previously available. The present paper gives an overview of different approaches to the extraction of atrial activity in the ECG and to the characterization of the resulting atrial signal with respect to its spectral properties. So far, the repetition rate of the atrial waves is the most studied parameter and its significance in clinical management is briefly considered, including the identification of pathomechanisms and prediction of therapy efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leif Sörnmo
- Department of Electrical and Information Technology, Lund University, 221 00 Lund, Sweden.
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Bollmann A, Tveit A, Husser D, Stridh M, Sornmo L, Smith P, Olsson SB. Fibrillatory rate response to candesartan in persistent atrial fibrillation. Europace 2008; 10:1138-44. [DOI: 10.1093/europace/eun195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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Romero I, Koch H, Fleck E, Kriatselis C. Study of surface electrocardiogram spectrum before and after pulmonary vein ablation in patients with persistent atrial fibrillation. J Electrocardiol 2008; 41:553-6. [PMID: 18817922 DOI: 10.1016/j.jelectrocard.2008.06.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2008] [Revised: 06/18/2008] [Accepted: 06/30/2008] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common clinical cardiac arrhythmia and is usually treated with the electrical isolation of the pulmonary veins from the atria. However, it is estimated that about 30% of the patients undergoing this therapy will develop AF again. The purpose of this study was to test the dynamic changes of the spectra calculated in surface electrocardiograms (ECGs) before and after the ablation of the pulmonary veins. Surface ECGs of 14 patients with persistent AF undergoing this intervention were considered for this study. The QRS-T waves were subtracted from the ECGs using common spatial pattern, isolating the electrical activity of the atrium. The spectrum was then calculated and the main frequency peaks were identified. The smaller peaks with amplitude below 50% of the maximum were discarded. Eleven of the patients were followed up after the intervention for 1 to 6 months. Two of the patients developed AF again; the other 9 remained in sinus rhythm. For most of the patients, the spectrum showed more order after the intervention. However, the main frequency did not experience a significant decrease in average (5.1 Hz [+/-1.3] to 4.9 Hz [+/-1.0]). Interestingly, the increment or decrease of the main frequency did not correlate with the recurrence of AF or not.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iñaki Romero
- Physikalisch Technische Bundesanstalt, Berlin, Germany.
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A non-invasive method to predict electrical cardioversion outcome of persistent atrial fibrillation. Med Biol Eng Comput 2008; 46:625-35. [DOI: 10.1007/s11517-008-0348-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2007] [Accepted: 04/04/2008] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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Husser O, Husser D, Stridh M, Sörnmo L, Corino VDA, Mainardi LT, Lombardi F, Klein HU, Olsson SB, Bollmann A. Exercise testing for non-invasive assessment of atrial electrophysiological properties in patients with persistent atrial fibrillation. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2007; 9:627-32. [PMID: 17595231 DOI: 10.1093/europace/eum124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
AIMS Experimental studies suggest that the autonomic nervous system modulates atrial refractoriness and conduction velocity in atrial fibrillation (AF). These modulatory effects are, however, difficult to assess in the clinical setting. This study sought to non-invasively characterize in patients with persistent AF, the influence of autonomic modulation induced by exercise on atrial fibrillatory rate as marker of atrial refractoriness and to identify clinical and electrocardiographic predictors of atrial rate response. METHODS AND RESULTS In 24 patients (16 males, mean age 60 +/- 13 years) with persistent AF (16 +/- 25 months), continuous ECGs were recorded during bicycle exercise testing. Fibrillatory rate (in fibrillations per minute, fpm) was assessed at baseline and immediately after termination of exercise with spatiotemporal QRST cancellation and time-frequency analysis. Ventricular response was characterized by time-domain HRV indices. Exercise had no influence on mean fibrillatory rate (409 +/- 42 vs. 414 +/- 43 fpm, P = NS). Seven patients responded to exercise with an increase in fibrillatory rate (26 +/- 10 fpm, P < 0.001 and three with a decrease (-21 +/- 8 fpm, P < 0.001), while the remaining 14 patients did not show a response. Responders' HRV indices changed in response to exercise similarly to that of non-responders. Their baseline fibrillatory rate was, however, lower than that of non-responders (387 +/- 18 vs. 425 +/- 48 fpm, P = 0.028). No other clinical or echocardiographic variable was associated with fibrillatory rate response. Twelve weeks after cardioverson, responders were more likely to remain in sinus rhythm than non-responders (88 vs. 46 %, P = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS Exercise-induced autonomic activation produces changes in atrial electrophysiological properties that can be detected by time-frequency analysis. Higher baseline fibrillatory rates are associated with an impaired atrial response to exercise that suggests advanced electrical remodelling and reduced sensitivity to autonomic stimuli.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oliver Husser
- Department of Cardiology, Otto-von-Guericke University, University Hospital, Leipziger Str. 44, 39120 Magdeburg, Germany
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Husser D, Cannom DS, Bhandari AK, Stridh M, Sörnmo L, Olsson SB, Bollmann A. Electrocardiographic characteristics of fibrillatory waves in new-onset atrial fibrillation. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2007; 9:638-42. [PMID: 17470676 DOI: 10.1093/europace/eum074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
AIMS In atrial fibrillation (AF), fibrillatory waves of surface electrocardiograms (ECG) vary among patients with respect to waveform and repetition rate. The purpose of this study was to (i) explore clinical determinants of new-onset AF and (ii) determine prognostic significance to predict initial treatment outcome of electrocardiographic fibrillatory wave characteristics in new-onset AF. METHODS AND RESULTS Twenty-five patients (15 male, mean age 69 +/- 16 years) with new-onset AF (median AF duration 8 days) were studied. Fibrillatory rate and exponential decay defined as decay of the curve that connects power maxima of dominant and harmonic frequency components were obtained by spatiotemporal QRST cancellation and time-frequency analysis of the index ECG (before treatment initiation). Baseline AF rate was 380 +/- 50 fibrillations per minute (fpm) (range 222-494); patients' age (beta = - 1.747, P = 0.003) and AF duration (beta = 0.726, P = 0.036) were independently related with fibrillatory rate. AF terminated within 24 h in seven patients, while it was persistent in the other 18 patients. Terminating AF had lower atrial rate (333 +/- 66 vs. 398 +/- 40 fpm, P = 0.005) and exponential decay (1.03 +/- 0.36 vs. 1.40 +/- 0.37, P = 0.041) than persisting AF. Multivariate analysis revealed fibrillatory rate to be the only independent predictor of AF termination or persistence (beta = 0.031, P = 0.031). Sensitivity and specificity for predicting AF termination were strongly related to fibrillatory rate (area under the curve = 0.817). Sensitivity and specificity were 89% and 71% for a fibrillatory rate of 355 fpm. CONCLUSIONS Fibrillatory rates vary substantially among patients to new-onset AF and are related to patients' age and AF duration. Lower fibrillatory rates indicate higher chances of spontaneous AF termination within 24 h.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Husser
- Department of Cardiology, Good Samaritan Hospital and Harbor-UCLA Medical Center Los Angeles, CA, USA
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Husser D, Stridh M, Cannom DS, Bhandari AK, Girsky MJ, Kang S, Sörnmo L, Bertil Olsson S, Bollmann A. Validation and clinical application of time-frequency analysis of atrial fibrillation electrocardiograms. J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol 2007; 18:41-6. [PMID: 17229299 DOI: 10.1111/j.1540-8167.2006.00683.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Fibrillatory rates can reliably be obtained from surface ECGs during atrial fibrillation (AF) and correspond with right atrial (RA) and coronary sinus (CS) rates, while both the relation with pulmonary venous (PV) rates and determinants of fibrillatory waveform are unknown. Class III antiarrhythmic drugs prolong atrial refractoriness and decrease its dispersion, effects that may be reflected in ECG parameters. Consequently, this study sought (1) to investigate the relation between ECG fibrillatory rate and waveform characteristics with intraatrial/PV fibrillatory activity and (2) to noninvasively monitor class III antiarrhythmic drug effects in patients with AF. METHODS AND RESULTS Thirty-six patients with drug-refractory AF who underwent catheter-based pulmonary vein isolation and had AF at the beginning of the procedure were studied. A positive correlation between V1 rates obtained by time-frequency analysis and RA (R = 0.97, P < 0.001), CS (R = .71, P < 0.001), and PV rates (R = 0.65, P = 0.001) was found. Exponential decay defined as decay of the curve that connects power maxima of dominant and harmonic frequency components correlated with RA rate dispersion (R = 0.53, P = 0.004). In amiodarone-treated patients (n = 7), V1 rate (286 +/- 64 vs. 371 +/- 40 fpm, P < 0.001) and exponential decay (1.06 +/- 0.29 vs. 1.38 +/- 0.38, P = 0.034) were lower than in patients without amiodarone (n = 29). In 19 additional patients with persistent AF, oral dofetilide treatment decreased mean fibrillatory rate from 377 +/- 57 to 294 +/- 50 fpm (P < 0.001) and exponential decay from 1.24 +/- 0.43 to 0.85 +/- 0.22 (P = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS Fibrillatory waves of surface ECG lead V1 closely reflect right atrial, and, to a lesser degree, left atrial activity. Time-frequency analysis allows noninvasive monitoring of antiarrhythmic drug effects on fibrillatory rate and waveform.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Husser
- Departments of Cardiology, Good Samaritan Hospital and Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, USA
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Husser D, Stridh M, Sörnmo L, Toepffer I, Klein HU, Bertil Olsson S, Bollmann A. Electroatriography – Time-frequency analysis of atrial fibrillation from modified 12-lead ECG configurations for improved diagnosis and therapy. Med Hypotheses 2007; 68:568-73. [PMID: 17029804 DOI: 10.1016/j.mehy.2006.08.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2006] [Accepted: 08/11/2006] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Current atrial fibrillation (AF) management guidelines suggest that initially a decision must be made to apply either a rate control or rhythm control strategy in the individual patient. However, patients' selection remains substantially empirical and the strategy initially chosen often proves unsuccessful and alternative therapies must be adopted. Thus, it seems desirable to develop and apply tests that quantify AF disease state and guide AF management. The overall hypothesis of this paper is that time-frequency analysis of AF from modified 12-lead ECG configurations will improve AF management beyond current diagnostic and therapeutic standards. In particular, we present a novel concept in which 12-lead ECG configurations are modified for time-frequency analysis of AF (electroatriography). While five electrodes (VR, VL, VF, V1, V2) are placed in the conventional position, the other four electrodes (V3, V4, V5, V6) are empirically repositioned anterior or posterior over the atria. By applying spatiotemporal QRST cancellation and time-frequency analysis to these recordings in 19 patients with persistent AF, fibrillatory rate dispersion among individual anterior (25+/-14 fibrillations per minute, fpm) and posterior leads (16+/-11fpm) as well as individual anterior/posterior rate gradients ranging between -24 and +116fpm could be identified. Consequently, the portrayed techniques may form the conceptual basis for individualized noninvasive characterization of AF. Initiation of further studies using the described techniques in different AF subsets, for comparisons with intracardiac recordings and outcome of different therapies, e.g. cardioversion, antiarrhythmic drug and ablation therapy may be stimulated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Husser
- Department of Cardiology, University Hospital Magdeburg, Germany
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Duytschaever M, Heyse A, de Sutter J, Crijns H, Gillebert T, Tavernier R, Tieleman R. Transthoracic Tissue Doppler Imaging of the Atria: A Novel Method to Determine the Atrial Fibrillation Cycle Length. J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol 2006; 17:1202-9. [PMID: 16968525 DOI: 10.1111/j.1540-8167.2006.00604.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The atrial fibrillation cycle length (AFCL) is a critical parameter for the perpetuation and termination of AF. In the present study, we evaluated a new method to measure the AFCL based on transthoracic tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) of the right atrium (RA) and left atrium (LA). METHODS Twenty patients with AF (6 acute AF, 14 persistent or permanent AF) were studied. A quadripolar catheter was positioned at RA or LA to measure AFCL (AFCL(EGM), gold standard). Transthoracic echocardiography (apical 4-chamber view) was used to perform pulsed wave TDI at the free wall of RA or LA. AFCL(TDI) was defined as the time interval between two consecutive positive to negative crossings of the baseline of the atrial time velocity curves. AFCL(EGM) and AFCL(TDI) were measured at baseline and during a 10-minute infusion of flecainide (1.5 mg/kg). RESULTS Measurement of AFCL(TDI) was feasible in all but one patient. At baseline, AFCL(EGM) was 170 +/- 22 ms, AFCL(TDI) 172 +/- 22 ms (difference 2 +/- 5 ms). AFCL(TDI) correlated significantly with AFCL(EGM) (R = 0.91, P < 0.0001). Bland-Altman analysis showed a bias of -2 ms with a 95% limit of agreement between -26 ms and +22 ms. During flecainide, the AFCL(TDI) method yielded an AFCL prolongation from 176 +/- 23 ms at baseline to 279 +/- 68 ms (P < 0.01) after 10 minutes of infusion (57 +/- 26%). CONCLUSIONS (1) Tissue Doppler imaging of the atria during transthoracic echocardiography can be used to reliably determine the AFCL during both acute and persistent or permanent AF. (2) Continuous measurement of AFCL with TDI can be used to monitor the effect of antiarrhythmic drugs on atrial rate during AF. (3) This novel method is attractive because of the ease of acquiring the data and its noninvasive character.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mattias Duytschaever
- Department of Cardiology, University Hospital Ghent, De Pintelaan 185, 9000 Ghent, Belgium.
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Bollmann A, Husser D, Mainardi L, Lombardi F, Langley P, Murray A, Rieta JJ, Millet J, Olsson SB, Stridh M, Sörnmo L. Analysis of surface electrocardiograms in atrial fibrillation: techniques, research, and clinical applications. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2006; 8:911-26. [PMID: 17043067 DOI: 10.1093/europace/eul113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 111] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022]
Abstract
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common arrhythmia encountered in clinical practice. Neither the natural history of AF nor its response to therapy is sufficiently predictable by clinical and echocardiographic parameters. The purpose of this article is to describe technical aspects of novel electrocardiogram (ECG) analysis techniques and to present research and clinical applications of these methods for characterization of both the fibrillatory process and the ventricular response during AF. Atrial fibrillatory frequency (or rate) can reliably be assessed from the surface ECG using digital signal processing (extraction of atrial signals and spectral analysis). This measurement shows large inter-individual variability and correlates well with intra-atrial cycle length, a parameter which appears to have primary importance in AF maintenance and response to therapy. AF with a low fibrillatory rate is more likely to terminate spontaneously and responds better to antiarrhythmic drugs or cardioversion, whereas high-rate AF is more often persistent and refractory to therapy. Ventricular responses during AF can be characterized by a variety of methods, which include analysis of heart rate variability, RR-interval histograms, Lorenz plots, and non-linear dynamics. These methods have all shown a certain degree of usefulness, either in scientific explorations of atrioventricular (AV) nodal function or in selected clinical questions such as predicting response to drugs, cardioversion, or AV nodal modification. The role of the autonomic nervous system for AF sustenance and termination, as well as for ventricular rate responses, can be explored by different ECG analysis methods. In conclusion, non-invasive characterization of atrial fibrillatory activity and ventricular response can be performed from the surface ECG in AF patients. Different signal processing techniques have been suggested for identification of underlying AF pathomechanisms and prediction of therapy efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas Bollmann
- Department of Cardiology, Otto-von-Guericke-University Magdeburg, Leipziger Str. 44, 39120 Magdeburg, Germany.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas Bollmann
- Department of Cardiology, Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg, Germany.
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Holmqvist F, Stridh M, Waktare JEP, Roijer A, Sörnmo L, Platonov PG, Meurling CJ. Atrial fibrillation signal organization predicts sinus rhythm maintenance in patients undergoing cardioversion of atrial fibrillation. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2006; 8:559-65. [PMID: 16831838 DOI: 10.1093/europace/eul072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
AIMS Electrical remodelling is believed to influence the outcome following cardioversion of patients with persistent atrial fibrillation (AF). However, the results in clinical studies are conflicting. We assessed the hypothesis that non-invasively obtained atrial fibrillatory organization can be used as a predictor of sinus rhythm (SR) maintenance. METHODS AND RESULTS Fifty-four patients (37 men, age 67+/-11) with persistent AF (median duration 3 months, 1 day to 18 months), without anti-arrhythmic drug treatment, referred for cardioversion were studied. Assessment of the atrial harmonic decay was made by time-frequency analysis of the ECG. At 1-month follow-up, 30 patients had relapsed into AF. The mean harmonic decay at inclusion of those relapsing into AF was 1.5+/-0.3 compared with 1.1+/-0.3 among those maintaining SR (P=0.0004). Using a cut-off value of harmonic decay <or=1.5 to determine suitability for cardioversion would have resulted in a clinically useful discriminator (sensitivity=92%, specificity=47%, PPV=59%, and NPV=88%). CONCLUSION This study shows that patients relapsing rapidly to AF have a higher harmonic decay than those maintaining SR. The degree of AF signal organization (harmonic decay) was a superior discriminator to other patient parameters. Further studies are needed to confirm these results and to determine the electrophysiological correlate of harmonic decay.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fredrik Holmqvist
- Department of Cardiology, Lund University Hospital, SE-221 85 Lund, Sweden.
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Meurling CJ, Roijer A, Waktare JEP, Holmqvist F, Lindholm CJ, Ingemansson MP, Carlson J, Stridh M, Sörnmo L, Olsson SB. Prediction of sinus rhythm maintenance following DC-cardioversion of persistent atrial fibrillation - the role of atrial cycle length. BMC Cardiovasc Disord 2006; 6:11. [PMID: 16533393 PMCID: PMC1431563 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2261-6-11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2005] [Accepted: 03/13/2006] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Atrial electrical remodeling has been shown to influence the outcome the outcome following cardioversion of atrial fibrillation (AF) in experimental studies. The aim of the present study was to find out whether a non-invasively measured atrial fibrillatory cycle length, alone or in combination with other non-invasive parameters, could predict sinus rhythm maintenance after cardioversion of AF. Methods Dominant atrial cycle length (DACL), a previously validated non-invasive index of atrial refractoriness, was measured from lead V1 and a unipolar oesophageal lead prior to cardioversion in 37 patients with persistent AF undergoing their first cardioversion. Results 32 patients were successfully cardioverted to sinus rhythm. The mean DACL in the 22 patients who suffered recurrence of AF within 6 weeks was 152 ± 15 ms (V1) and 147 ± 14 ms (oesophagus) compared to 155 ± 17 ms (V1) and 151 ± 18 ms (oesophagus) in those maintaining sinus rhythm (NS). Left atrial diameter was 48 ± 4 mm and 44 ± 7 mm respectively (NS). The optimal parameter predicting maintenance of sinus rhythm after 6 weeks appeared to be the ratio of the lowest dominant atrial cycle length (oesophageal lead or V1) to left atrial diameter. This ratio was significantly higher in patients remaining in sinus rhythm (3.4 ± 0.6 vs. 3.1 ± 0.4 ms/mm respectively, p = 0.04). Conclusion In this study neither an index of atrial refractory period nor left atrial diameter alone were predictors of AF recurrence within the 6 weeks of follow-up. The ratio of the two (combining electrophysiological and anatomical measurements) only slightly improve the identification of patients at high risk of recurrence of persistent AF. Consequently, other ways to asses electrical remodeling and / or other variables besides electrical remodeling are involved in determining the outcome following cardioversion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carl J Meurling
- Department of Cardiology, Lund University Hospital, SE-221 85 Lund, Sweden
| | - Anders Roijer
- Department of Cardiology, Lund University Hospital, SE-221 85 Lund, Sweden
| | | | - Fredrik Holmqvist
- Department of Cardiology, Lund University Hospital, SE-221 85 Lund, Sweden
| | - Carl J Lindholm
- Department of Cardiology, Lund University Hospital, SE-221 85 Lund, Sweden
| | - Max P Ingemansson
- Department of Cardiology, Lund University Hospital, SE-221 85 Lund, Sweden
| | - Jonas Carlson
- Department of Cardiology, Lund University Hospital, SE-221 85 Lund, Sweden
| | - Martin Stridh
- Department of Applied Electronics, Lund Institute of Technology, Lund, Sweden
| | - Leif Sörnmo
- Department of Applied Electronics, Lund Institute of Technology, Lund, Sweden
| | - S Bertil Olsson
- Department of Cardiology, Lund University Hospital, SE-221 85 Lund, Sweden
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Wang YC, Lin LC, Lin MS, Lai LP, Hwang JJ, Tseng YZ, Tseng CD, Lin JL. Identification of good responders to rhythm control of paroxysmal and persistent atrial fibrillation by transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiography. Cardiology 2005; 104:202-9. [PMID: 16155395 DOI: 10.1159/000088174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2005] [Accepted: 04/22/2005] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Identification of good responders to rhythm control in the management of atrial fibrillation (AF) is worthwhile in terms of increasing hemodynamic benefit and decreasing the likelihood of unstable anticoagulation even after the Atrial Fibrillation Follow-Up Investigation of Rhythm Management. METHODS We tested the hypothesis that atrial substrate determines the risk of recurrence on rhythm control both in patients with paroxysmal AF (PAF) and in those with persistent or sustained AF (> or =1 week, SAF). There were 90 consecutive patients (mean age 63 +/- 12 years, 67 males and 23 females) with previous PAF (n = 66) or SAF (n = 24). They were maintained in sinus rhythm successfully for at least 1 month after conversion and then studied by transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiography. All of the patients were followed regularly by determination of symptoms, 12-lead ECG and intermittent Holter recording to determine recurrence of AF after echocardiographic study. RESULTS After 9.1 +/- 3.8 (range 3-12) months of follow-up, 23 of the 90 (26%) patients had documented recurrence of AF (67 without recurrence). Univariate analysis of demographic characteristics, medications, ECG and echocardiographic parameters revealed that, compared with the group of patients without recurrent AF, the group of those with it included more members of the SAF group (11/27 vs. 13/67, p = 0.039), included more male subjects (22/23 vs. 45/67, p = 0.045), had a larger left atrial volume index (LAVI; 27 +/- 9 vs. 22 +/- 9 ml/m2, p = 0.024) and had lower LA appendage peak emptying velocity (LAAPEV; 42 +/- 15 vs. 55 +/- 22 cm/s, p = 0.01). Multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression analysis adjusted for age, gender and AF group revealed that patients with LAVI <30 ml/m2 and LAAPEV >46 cm/s had the least recurrence of AF (relative risk 0.18, 95% confidence interval 0.06-0.55, vs. with LAVI >30 ml/m2 or LAAPEV <46 cm/s, p = 0.002). Kaplan-Meier probability of freedom from AF recurrence was significantly better when LAVI <30 ml/m2 (log-rank p = 0.02), LAAPEV > 46 cm/s (p = 0.013) or both (p = 0.004). The superiority to predict the rate of sinus rhythm maintenance was the same in the PAF and SAF groups. CONCLUSIONS Good responders to rhythm control in the PAF and SAF groups share the characteristics of smaller LA volume and better LAA contractile function, emphasizing the critical role of atrial substrate remodeling in recurrence of AF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi-Chih Wang
- Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital Yun-Lin Branch, Yun-Lin, Taiwan, ROC
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Bernhardt P, Schmidt H, Hammerstingl C, Lüderitz B, Omran H. Incidence of Cerebral Embolism after Cardioversion of Atrial Fibrillation: A Prospective Study with Transesophageal Echocardiography and Cerebral Magnetic Resonance Imaging. J Am Soc Echocardiogr 2005; 18:649-53. [PMID: 15947768 DOI: 10.1016/j.echo.2004.09.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND After cardioversion of atrial fibrillation the risk for cerebral embolism is increased. There is little knowledge about the incidence of cerebral embolism for patients with transesophageal echocardiography (TEE)-guided cardioversion under oral anticoagulation. METHODS Consecutive patients with atrial fibrillation and TEE-guided cardioversion were included in the study. We performed serial TEE studies, Holter electrocardiography, cranial magnetic resonance imaging, and clinical examinations during a period of 4 weeks before and after cardioversion. Oral anticoagulation was continued or initiated in all patients. RESULTS During the observation period 6 of 127 (4.7%) patients had new embolic lesions after cardioversion documented on cerebral magnetic resonance imaging. Patients with an event were significantly older (P = .04) and had a larger left atrium (P = .04) than patients without event. CONCLUSION Patients with atrial fibrillation and oral anticoagulation have a low rate of clinical apparent cerebral embolism after TEE and anticoagulation-guided cardioversion. The rate of silent cerebral embolism is almost 5%. Age and left atrial size are predictors for an event.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Bernhardt
- Department of Medicine-Cardiology, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany.
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Husser D, Stridh M, Sornmo L, Platonov P, Olsson SB, Bollmann A. Analysis of the surface electrocardiogram for monitoring and predicting antiarrhythmic drug effects in atrial fibrillation. Cardiovasc Drugs Ther 2005; 18:377-86. [PMID: 15717140 DOI: 10.1007/s10557-005-5062-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Specific antiarrhythmic therapy with class I and III drugs for atrial fibrillation (AF) conversion and prevention of its recurrence is frequently utilized in clinical practice. Besides being only moderate effective, the utilization of antiarrhythmic drugs may be associated with serious side effects. In the clinical setting it is difficult to directly evaluate the effects of antiarrhythmic drugs on the individual patient's atrial electrophysiology, thereby predicting their efficacy in restoring and maintaining sinus rhythm. Analysis of the surface electrocardiogram in terms of P-wave signal averaged ECG during sinus rhythm and spectral characterization of fibrillatory waves during AF for evaluation of atrial antiarrhythmic drug effects is a new field of investigation. Both techniques provide reproducible parameters for characterizing atrial electrical abnormalities and seem to contain prognostic information regarding antiarrhythmic drug efficacy. Further research is needed which elucidates the most challenging clinical questions in AF management whom to place on antiarrhythmic drug treatment and what antiarrhythmic drug to prescribe. Analysis of the surface ECG might have the potential to answer these questions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Husser
- Los Angeles Biomedical Research Institute at Harbor-UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA
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