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Haines DE, Kong MH, Ruppersberg P, Haeusser P, Avitall B, Szili-Torok T, Verma A. Electrographic flow mapping for atrial fibrillation: theoretical basis and preliminary observations. J Interv Card Electrophysiol 2023; 66:1015-1028. [PMID: 35969338 PMCID: PMC10172240 DOI: 10.1007/s10840-022-01308-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2022] [Accepted: 07/15/2022] [Indexed: 10/15/2022]
Abstract
Ablation strategies remain poorly defined for persistent atrial fibrillation (AF) patients with recurrence despite intact pulmonary vein isolation (PVI). As the ability to perform durable PVI improves, the need for advanced mapping to identify extra-PV sources of AF becomes increasingly evident. Multiple mapping technologies attempt to localize these self-sustained triggers and/or drivers responsible for initiating and/or maintaining AF; however, current approaches suffer from technical limitations. Electrographic flow (EGF) mapping is a novel mapping method based on well-established principles of optical flow and fluid dynamics. It enables the full spatiotemporal reconstruction of organized wavefront propagation within the otherwise chaotic and disorganized electrical conduction of AF. Given the novelty of EGF mapping and relative unfamiliarity of most clinical electrophysiologists with the mathematical principles powering the EGF algorithm, this paper provides an in-depth explanation of the technical/mathematical foundations of EGF mapping and demonstrates clinical applications of EGF mapping data and analyses. Starting with a 64-electrode basket catheter, unipolar EGMs are recorded and processed using an algorithm to visualize the electrographic flow and highlight the location of high prevalence AF "source" activity. The AF sources are agnostic to the specific mechanisms of source signal generation.
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Affiliation(s)
- David E Haines
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Beaumont Hospital, Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine, 3601 West 13 Mile Rd., Royal Oaks, MI, 48973, USA.
| | | | | | | | - Boaz Avitall
- Department of Medicine and Bioengineering, University of Illinois, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Tamas Szili-Torok
- Department of Cardiology, Electrophysiology, Erasmus Medical Center, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Atul Verma
- Southlake Regional Health Centre, Division of Cardiology, University of Toronto, 602-581 Davis Drive, Newmarket, Ontario, L3Y 2P6, Canada.
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2
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Power C, Lamarre SG, Dion-Côté AM. Transcriptional and metabolomic investigation of the stress response in snow crab during simulated transport condition (Chionoecetes opilio). COMPARATIVE BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY. PART D, GENOMICS & PROTEOMICS 2023; 46:101079. [PMID: 37146452 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbd.2023.101079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2022] [Revised: 03/02/2023] [Accepted: 04/14/2023] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
The molecular mechanisms underlying the stress response are poorly described in crustaceans. This includes the snow crab (Chionoecetes opilio), a commercially important stenotherm species distributed throughout the northern hemisphere. A better understanding of the stress response in C. opilio is desperately needed for commercial and conservation purposes. The purpose of this study was to investigate the transcriptional and metabolomic response of C. opilio exposed to stressors. Crabs were randomly assigned to 24 or 72 h treatment groups where they were exposed to conditions simulating live transport (handling and air exposure). A control group was kept in cold (2 °C) and well‑oxygenated saltwater. The hepatopancreas of the crabs was sampled to perform RNA-sequencing and high-performance chemical isotope labeling metabolomics. Differential gene expression analyses showed that classic crustaceans' stress markers, such as crustacean hyperglycemic hormones and heat shock proteins, were overexpressed in response to stressors. Tyrosine decarboxylase was also up-regulated in stressed crabs, suggesting an implication of the catecholamines tyramine and octopamine in the stress response. Deregulated metabolites revealed that low oxygen was an important trigger in the stress response as intermediate metabolites of the tricarboxylic acid cycle (TCA) accumulated. Lactate, which accumulated unevenly between crabs could potentially be used to predict mortality. This study provides new information on how stressors affect crustaceans and provides a basis for the development of stress markers in C. opilio.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claude Power
- Département de biologie, Université de Moncton, Moncton, New-Brunswick E1A 3E9, Canada. https://twitter.com/@ClaudePower14
| | - Simon G Lamarre
- Département de biologie, Université de Moncton, Moncton, New-Brunswick E1A 3E9, Canada.
| | - Anne-Marie Dion-Côté
- Département de biologie, Université de Moncton, Moncton, New-Brunswick E1A 3E9, Canada.
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3
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Chu GS, Li X, Stafford PJ, Vanheusden FJ, Salinet JL, Almeida TP, Dastagir N, Sandilands AJ, Kirchhof P, Schlindwein FS, Ng GA. Simultaneous Whole-Chamber Non-contact Mapping of Highest Dominant Frequency Sites During Persistent Atrial Fibrillation: A Prospective Ablation Study. Front Physiol 2022; 13:826449. [PMID: 35370796 PMCID: PMC8966840 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2022.826449] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2021] [Accepted: 02/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose Sites of highest dominant frequency (HDF) are implicated by many proposed mechanisms underlying persistent atrial fibrillation (persAF). We hypothesized that prospectively identifying and ablating dynamic left atrial HDF sites would favorably impact the electrophysiological substrate of persAF. We aim to assess the feasibility of prospectively identifying HDF sites by global simultaneous left atrial mapping. Methods PersAF patients with no prior ablation history underwent global simultaneous left atrial non-contact mapping. 30 s of electrograms recorded during AF were exported into a bespoke MATLAB interface to identify HDF regions, which were then targeted for ablation, prior to pulmonary vein isolation. Following ablation of each region, change in AF cycle length (AFCL) was documented (≥ 10 ms considered significant). Baseline isopotential maps of ablated regions were retrospectively analyzed looking for rotors and focal activation or extinction events. Results A total of 51 HDF regions were identified and ablated in 10 patients (median DF 5.8Hz, range 4.4-7.1Hz). An increase in AFCL of was seen in 20 of the 51 regions (39%), including AF termination in 4 patients. 5 out of 10 patients (including the 4 patients where AF termination occurred with HDF-guided ablation) were free from AF recurrence at 1 year. The proportion of HDF occurrences in an ablated region was not associated with change in AFCL (τ = 0.11, p = 0.24). Regions where AFCL decreased by 10 ms or more (i.e., AF disorganization) after ablation also showed lowest baseline spectral organization (p < 0.033 for any comparison). Considering all ablated regions, the average proportion of HDF events which were also HRI events was 8.0 ± 13%. Focal activations predominated (537/1253 events) in the ablated regions on isopotential maps, were modestly associated with the proportion of HDF occurrences represented by the ablated region (Kendall's τ = 0.40, p < 0.0001), and very strongly associated with focal extinction events (τ = 0.79, p < 0.0001). Rotors were rare (4/1253 events). Conclusion Targeting dynamic HDF sites is feasible and can be efficacious, but lacks specificity in identifying relevant human persAF substrate. Spectral organization may have an adjunctive role in preventing unnecessary substrate ablation. Dynamic HDF sites are not associated with observable rotational activity on isopotential mapping, but epi-endocardial breakthroughs could be contributory.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gavin S. Chu
- Department of Cardiovascular Science, University of Leicester, Leicester, United Kingdom
- Lancashire Cardiac Centre, Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Blackpool, United Kingdom
| | - Xin Li
- Department of Cardiovascular Science, University of Leicester, Leicester, United Kingdom
- School of Engineering, University of Leicester, Leicester, United Kingdom
| | - Peter J. Stafford
- National Institute for Health Research Leicester Cardiovascular Biomedical Research Centre, Glenfield Hospital, Leicester, United Kingdom
| | | | - João L. Salinet
- Center for Engineering, Modeling and Applied Social Sciences, University Federal of ABC, Santo André, Brazil
| | - Tiago P. Almeida
- Department of Cardiovascular Science, University of Leicester, Leicester, United Kingdom
- School of Engineering, University of Leicester, Leicester, United Kingdom
| | - Nawshin Dastagir
- Department of International Foundation, Massey University, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Alastair J. Sandilands
- National Institute for Health Research Leicester Cardiovascular Biomedical Research Centre, Glenfield Hospital, Leicester, United Kingdom
| | - Paulus Kirchhof
- University Heart and Vascular Centre, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Fernando S. Schlindwein
- School of Engineering, University of Leicester, Leicester, United Kingdom
- National Institute for Health Research Leicester Cardiovascular Biomedical Research Centre, Glenfield Hospital, Leicester, United Kingdom
| | - G. André Ng
- Department of Cardiovascular Science, University of Leicester, Leicester, United Kingdom
- National Institute for Health Research Leicester Cardiovascular Biomedical Research Centre, Glenfield Hospital, Leicester, United Kingdom
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Gagyi RB, Ruppersberg P, Kong MH, Hoogendijk M, Wijchers S, Szili-Torok T. First-in-human demonstration of 18-month spatiotemporal stability of active atrial fibrillation source detected by electrographic flow mapping in persistent atrial fibrillation. HeartRhythm Case Rep 2021; 7:599-604. [PMID: 34552851 PMCID: PMC8441199 DOI: 10.1016/j.hrcr.2021.05.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Rita B. Gagyi
- Department of Cardiology, Electrophysiology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | | | | | - Mark Hoogendijk
- Department of Cardiology, Electrophysiology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Sip Wijchers
- Department of Cardiology, Electrophysiology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Tamas Szili-Torok
- Department of Cardiology, Electrophysiology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- Address reprint requests and correspondence: Dr Tamas Szili-Torok, Thoraxcenter, Department of Clinical Electrophysiology, Erasmus MC, Postbus 2040, 3000 CA Rotterdam, Doctor Molewaterplein 40, 3015 GD Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
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5
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Baykaner T, Fazal M, Patel S, Zaman J. Is there rule to the chaos: Defining stable patterns in atrial fibrillation. J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol 2021; 32:2404-2407. [PMID: 34260124 DOI: 10.1111/jce.15169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2021] [Accepted: 07/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Tina Baykaner
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Muhammad Fazal
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Sagar Patel
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Junaid Zaman
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
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6
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Pope MT, Kuklik P, Briosa E Gala A, Leo M, Mahmoudi M, Paisey J, Betts TR. Spatial and temporal variability of rotational, focal, and irregular activity: Practical implications for mapping of atrial fibrillation. J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol 2021; 32:2393-2403. [PMID: 34260134 PMCID: PMC9290790 DOI: 10.1111/jce.15170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2021] [Revised: 05/06/2021] [Accepted: 05/25/2021] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Charge density mapping of atrial fibrillation (AF) reveals dynamic localized rotational activation (LRA), irregular activation (LIA) and focal firing (FF). Their spatial stability, conduction characteristics and the optimal duration of mapping required to reveal these phenomena and has not been explored. METHODS Bi-atrial mapping of AF propagation was undertaken using AcQMap (Acutus Medical) and variability of activation patterns quantified up to a duration of 30 s. The frequency of each pattern was quantified at each unique point of the chamber over two separate 30-s recordings before ablation and R2 calculated to quantify spatial stability. Regions with the highest frequency were identified at increasing time durations and compared to the result over 30 s using Cohen's kappa. Properties of regions with the most stable patterns were assessed during sinus rhythm and extrastimulus pacing. RESULTS In 21 patients, 62 paired LA and RA maps were obtained. LIA was highly spatially stable with R2 between maps of 0.83 (0.71-0.88) compared to 0.39 (0.24-0.57), and 0.64 (0.54-0.73) for LRA and FF, respectively. LIA was most temporally stable with a kappa of >0.8 reached by 12 s. LRA showed greatest variability with kappa >0.8 only after 22 s. Regions of LIA were of normal voltage amplitude (1.09 mv) but showed increased conduction heterogeneity during extrastimulus pacing (p = .0480). CONCLUSION Irregular activation patterns characterized by changing wavefront direction are temporally and spatially stable in contrast with LRA that is transient with least spatial stability. Focal activation appears of intermediate stability. Regions of LIA show increased heterogeneity following extrastimulus pacing and may represent fixed anatomical substrate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Tb Pope
- Department of Cardiology, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, UK.,Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Pawel Kuklik
- Department of Cardiology, Asklepios Clinic St. Georg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Andre Briosa E Gala
- Department of Cardiology, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, UK.,Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Milena Leo
- Department of Cardiology, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, UK
| | | | - John Paisey
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Timothy R Betts
- Department of Cardiology, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, UK.,University of Oxford Biomedical Research Center, Oxford, UK
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7
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Salinet J, Molero R, Schlindwein FS, Karel J, Rodrigo M, Rojo-Álvarez JL, Berenfeld O, Climent AM, Zenger B, Vanheusden F, Paredes JGS, MacLeod R, Atienza F, Guillem MS, Cluitmans M, Bonizzi P. Electrocardiographic Imaging for Atrial Fibrillation: A Perspective From Computer Models and Animal Experiments to Clinical Value. Front Physiol 2021; 12:653013. [PMID: 33995122 PMCID: PMC8120164 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2021.653013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2021] [Accepted: 03/22/2021] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Electrocardiographic imaging (ECGI) is a technique to reconstruct non-invasively the electrical activity on the heart surface from body-surface potential recordings and geometric information of the torso and the heart. ECGI has shown scientific and clinical value when used to characterize and treat both atrial and ventricular arrhythmias. Regarding atrial fibrillation (AF), the characterization of the electrical propagation and the underlying substrate favoring AF is inherently more challenging than for ventricular arrhythmias, due to the progressive and heterogeneous nature of the disease and its manifestation, the small volume and wall thickness of the atria, and the relatively large role of microstructural abnormalities in AF. At the same time, ECGI has the advantage over other mapping technologies of allowing a global characterization of atrial electrical activity at every atrial beat and non-invasively. However, since ECGI is time-consuming and costly and the use of electrical mapping to guide AF ablation is still not fully established, the clinical value of ECGI for AF is still under assessment. Nonetheless, AF is known to be the manifestation of a complex interaction between electrical and structural abnormalities and therefore, true electro-anatomical-structural imaging may elucidate important key factors of AF development, progression, and treatment. Therefore, it is paramount to identify which clinical questions could be successfully addressed by ECGI when it comes to AF characterization and treatment, and which questions may be beyond its technical limitations. In this manuscript we review the questions that researchers have tried to address on the use of ECGI for AF characterization and treatment guidance (for example, localization of AF triggers and sustaining mechanisms), and we discuss the technological requirements and validation. We address experimental and clinical results, limitations, and future challenges for fruitful application of ECGI for AF understanding and management. We pay attention to existing techniques and clinical application, to computer models and (animal or human) experiments, to challenges of methodological and clinical validation. The overall objective of the study is to provide a consensus on valuable directions that ECGI research may take to provide future improvements in AF characterization and treatment guidance.
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Affiliation(s)
- João Salinet
- Biomedical Engineering, Centre for Engineering, Modelling and Applied Social Sciences (CECS), Federal University of ABC, São Bernardo do Campo, Brazil
| | - Rubén Molero
- ITACA Institute, Universitat Politècnica de València, València, Spain
| | - Fernando S. Schlindwein
- School of Engineering, University of Leicester, United Kingdom and National Institute for Health Research, Leicester Cardiovascular Biomedical Research Centre, Glenfield Hospital, Leicester, United Kingdom
| | - Joël Karel
- Department of Data Science and Knowledge Engineering, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Miguel Rodrigo
- Electronic Engineering Department, Universitat de València, València, Spain
| | - José Luis Rojo-Álvarez
- Department of Signal Theory and Communications and Telematic Systems and Computation, University Rey Juan Carlos, Madrid, Spain
| | - Omer Berenfeld
- Center for Arrhythmia Research, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Andreu M. Climent
- ITACA Institute, Universitat Politècnica de València, València, Spain
| | - Brian Zenger
- Biomedical Engineering Department, Scientific Computing and Imaging Institute (SCI), and Cardiovascular Research and Training Institute (CVRTI), The University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, United States
| | - Frederique Vanheusden
- Department of Engineering, School of Science and Technology, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Jimena Gabriela Siles Paredes
- Biomedical Engineering, Centre for Engineering, Modelling and Applied Social Sciences (CECS), Federal University of ABC, São Bernardo do Campo, Brazil
| | - Rob MacLeod
- Biomedical Engineering Department, Scientific Computing and Imaging Institute (SCI), and Cardiovascular Research and Training Institute (CVRTI), The University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, United States
| | - Felipe Atienza
- Cardiology Department, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón, and Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - María S. Guillem
- ITACA Institute, Universitat Politècnica de València, València, Spain
| | - Matthijs Cluitmans
- Department of Cardiology, Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Pietro Bonizzi
- Department of Data Science and Knowledge Engineering, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
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8
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Ravikumar V, Annoni E, Parthiban P, Zlochiver S, Roukoz H, Mulpuru SK, Tolkacheva EG. Novel mapping techniques for rotor core detection using simulated intracardiac electrograms. J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol 2021; 32:1268-1280. [PMID: 33570241 DOI: 10.1111/jce.14948] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2020] [Revised: 01/27/2021] [Accepted: 02/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Catheter ablation is associated with limited success rates in patients with persistent atrial fibrillation (AF). Currently, existing mapping systems fail to identify critical target sites for ablation. Recently, we proposed and validated several techniques (multiscale frequency [MSF], Shannon entropy [SE], kurtosis [Kt], and multiscale entropy [MSE]) to identify pivot point of rotors using ex-vivo optical mapping animal experiments. However, the performance of these techniques is unclear for the clinically recorded intracardiac electrograms (EGMs), due to the different nature of the signals. OBJECTIVE This study aims to evaluate the performance of MSF, MSE, SE, and Kt techniques to identify the pivot point of the rotor using unipolar and bipolar EGMs obtained from numerical simulations. METHODS Stationary and meandering rotors were simulated in a 2D human atria. The performances of new approaches were quantified by comparing the "true" core of the rotor with the core identified by the techniques. Also, the performances of all techniques were evaluated in the presence of noise, scar, and for the case of the multielectrode multispline and grid catheters. RESULTS Our results demonstrate that all the approaches are able to accurately identify the pivot point of both stationary and meandering rotors from both unipolar and bipolar EGMs. The presence of noise and scar tissue did not significantly affect the performance of the techniques. Finally, the core of the rotors was correctly identified for the case of multielectrode multispline and grid catheter simulations. CONCLUSION The core of rotors can be successfully identified from EGMs using novel techniques; thus, providing motivation for future clinical implementations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vasanth Ravikumar
- Department of Electrical Engineering, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Elizabeth Annoni
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Preethy Parthiban
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Sharon Zlochiver
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Henri Roukoz
- Division of Cardiovascular, Medical School, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Siva K Mulpuru
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Elena G Tolkacheva
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
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9
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Honarbakhsh S, Schilling RJ, Providencia R, Dhillon G, Bajomo O, Keating E, Finlay M, Hunter RJ. Ablation guided by STAR-mapping in addition to pulmonary vein isolation is superior to pulmonary vein isolation alone or in combination with CFAE/linear ablation for persistent AF. J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol 2021; 32:200-209. [PMID: 33368766 PMCID: PMC8607469 DOI: 10.1111/jce.14856] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2020] [Revised: 11/19/2020] [Accepted: 11/27/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Introduction The optimal ablation approach for persistent atrial fibrillation (AF) remains unclear. Methods and Results Objective was to compare the long‐term rates of freedom from AF/AT in patients that underwent STAR mapping guided ablation against outcomes of patients undergoing conventional ablation procedures. Patients undergoing ablation for persistent AF as part of the Stochastic Trajectory Analysis of Ranked signals (STAR) mapping study were included. Outcomes following 'pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) plus STAR mapping guided ablation (STAR mapping cohort) were compared to patients undergoing PVI alone ablation during the same time period and also a propensity‐matched cohort undergoing PVI plus the addition of complex fractionated electrogram (CFAE) and/or linear ablation (“conventional ablation”). Rates of procedural AF termination and freedom from AF/AT during follow‐up were compared. Sixty‐five patients were included in both the STAR cohort and propensity matched conventional ablation cohort. AF termination rates were significantly higher in the STAR cohort (51/65, 78.5%) than conventional ablation cohort (10/65, 15.4%) and PVI alone ablation cohort (13/50, 26.0%; STAR cohort vs. other 2 cohorts both p < .001). There was no significant difference in procedure time between the three cohorts. During ≥20 months follow‐up a lower proportion of patients had AF/AT recurrence in the STAR cohort (20.0%) compared with the conventional ablation cohort (50.8%) or the PVI alone ablation cohort (50.0%; both p < .05 compared to STAR cohort). Conclusions Outcomes of PVI plus STAR mapping guided ablation was superior to PVI alone or in combination with linear/CFAE ablation. A multicenter randomized controlled trial is planned to confirm these findings.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Emily Keating
- Barts Heart Centre, Barts Health NHS Trust, London, UK
| | | | - Ross J Hunter
- Barts Heart Centre, Barts Health NHS Trust, London, UK.,Queen Mary University of London
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10
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Montgomery JA. Mapping and ablation of non-pulmonary vein drivers of persistent atrial fibrillation: Has a STAR been born? J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol 2021; 32:210-211. [PMID: 33368814 DOI: 10.1111/jce.14854] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2020] [Accepted: 12/19/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jay A Montgomery
- Arrhythmia Section, Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA.,Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Nashville Veterans Affairs Hospital, Tennessee Valley Health System, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
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11
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Lațcu DG, Enache B, Hasni K, Wedn AM, Zarqane N, Pathak A, Saoudi N. Sequential ultrahigh-density contact mapping of persistent atrial fibrillation: An efficient technique for driver identification. J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol 2020; 32:29-40. [PMID: 33155347 DOI: 10.1111/jce.14803] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2020] [Revised: 10/03/2020] [Accepted: 10/29/2020] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Literature supports the existence of drivers as maintainers of atrial fibrillation (AF). Whether ultrahigh density (UHD) contact mapping may detect them is unknown. METHODS We sequentially mapped the left atrial (LA) activation during spontaneous persistent AF and performed circumferential pulmonary vein isolation (CPVI), followed by remapping and ablation of potential drivers (rotational and focal propagation sites) with Rhythmia™ in 90 patients. The time reference was an LA appendage (LAA) electrogram (EGM). Regions with uniform color were defined as "organized." Only patients (51) with no previous ablation were considered for acute results and follow-up reporting. RESULTS LA maps (175 ± 28 ml, 43578 ± 18013 EGM) were acquired in 23 ± 7 min. In all post-CPVI maps potential drivers (7.3 ± 3.2/patient) were visualized: 85% with rotational propagation and continuous low voltage in the center; the remaining with focal propagation and an organized EGM at the site of earliest activation. The RF delivery time for extra-PV driver ablation was 12.2 ± 7.9 min. There was a progressive increase of AF organization: the LAA cycle length prolonged, the number of potential drivers decreased, and the organized LA surface in AF increased from 14 ± 6% to 28 ± 16% (p = .0007). Termination of AF without cardioversion was obtained in 67%. AF recurrence rate at 15 ± 7.3 months was 17.6% after the first procedure. CONCLUSIONS Sequential UHD contact activation mapping of persistent AF allows visualization of potential drivers. A sequential strategy of CPVI followed by ablation of potential drivers with limited RF time resulted in an increasing organization of AF and good acute and long-term results.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Bogdan Enache
- Centre Hospitalier Princesse Grace, Monaco.,University of Medecine and Pharmacy Timişoara, Timişoara, Romania
| | | | - Ahmed M Wedn
- Centre Hospitalier Princesse Grace, Monaco.,Department of Critical Care, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
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12
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Mikhailov AV, Kalyanasundaram A, Li N, Scott SS, Artiga EJ, Subr MM, Zhao J, Hansen BJ, Hummel JD, Fedorov VV. Comprehensive evaluation of electrophysiological and 3D structural features of human atrial myocardium with insights on atrial fibrillation maintenance mechanisms. J Mol Cell Cardiol 2020; 151:56-71. [PMID: 33130148 DOI: 10.1016/j.yjmcc.2020.10.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2020] [Revised: 10/22/2020] [Accepted: 10/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Atrial fibrillation (AF) occurrence and maintenance is associated with progressive remodeling of electrophysiological (repolarization and conduction) and 3D structural (fibrosis, fiber orientations, and wall thickness) features of the human atria. Significant diversity in AF etiology leads to heterogeneous arrhythmogenic electrophysiological and structural substrates within the 3D structure of the human atria. Since current clinical methods have yet to fully resolve the patient-specific arrhythmogenic substrates, mechanism-based AF treatments remain underdeveloped. Here, we review current knowledge from in-vivo, ex-vivo, and in-vitro human heart studies, and discuss how these studies may provide new insights on the synergy of atrial electrophysiological and 3D structural features in AF maintenance. In-vitro studies on surgically acquired human atrial samples provide a great opportunity to study a wide spectrum of AF pathology, including functional changes in single-cell action potentials, ion channels, and gene/protein expression. However, limited size of the samples prevents evaluation of heterogeneous AF substrates and reentrant mechanisms. In contrast, coronary-perfused ex-vivo human hearts can be studied with state-of-the-art functional and structural technologies, such as high-resolution near-infrared optical mapping and contrast-enhanced MRI. These imaging modalities can resolve atrial arrhythmogenic substrates and their role in reentrant mechanisms maintaining AF and validate clinical approaches. Nonetheless, longitudinal studies are not feasible in explanted human hearts. As no approach is perfect, we suggest that combining the strengths of direct human atrial studies with high fidelity approaches available in the laboratory and in realistic patient-specific computer models would elucidate deeper knowledge of AF mechanisms. We propose that a comprehensive translational pipeline from ex-vivo human heart studies to longitudinal clinically relevant AF animal studies and finally to clinical trials is necessary to identify patient-specific arrhythmogenic substrates and develop novel AF treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aleksei V Mikhailov
- Department of Physiology & Cell Biology, Bob and Corrine Frick Center for Heart Failure and Arrhythmia, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA; Arrhythmology Research Department, Almazov National Medical Research Centre, Saint-Petersburg, Russia
| | - Anuradha Kalyanasundaram
- Department of Physiology & Cell Biology, Bob and Corrine Frick Center for Heart Failure and Arrhythmia, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Ning Li
- Department of Physiology & Cell Biology, Bob and Corrine Frick Center for Heart Failure and Arrhythmia, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Shane S Scott
- Department of Physiology & Cell Biology, Bob and Corrine Frick Center for Heart Failure and Arrhythmia, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Esthela J Artiga
- Department of Physiology & Cell Biology, Bob and Corrine Frick Center for Heart Failure and Arrhythmia, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Megan M Subr
- Department of Physiology & Cell Biology, Bob and Corrine Frick Center for Heart Failure and Arrhythmia, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Jichao Zhao
- Auckland Bioengineering Institute, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Brian J Hansen
- Department of Physiology & Cell Biology, Bob and Corrine Frick Center for Heart Failure and Arrhythmia, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - John D Hummel
- Davis Heart and Lung Research Institute, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA; Department of Internal Medicine, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Vadim V Fedorov
- Department of Physiology & Cell Biology, Bob and Corrine Frick Center for Heart Failure and Arrhythmia, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA; Davis Heart and Lung Research Institute, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA.
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13
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Honarbakhsh S, Schilling RJ, Finlay M, Keating E, Hunter RJ. Prospective STAR-Guided Ablation in Persistent Atrial Fibrillation Using Sequential Mapping With Multipolar Catheters. Circ Arrhythm Electrophysiol 2020; 13:e008824. [PMID: 32903033 PMCID: PMC7566307 DOI: 10.1161/circep.120.008824] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND A novel stochastic trajectory analysis of ranked signals (STAR) mapping approach to guide atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation using basket catheters recently showed high rates of AF termination and subsequent freedom from AF. METHODS This study aimed to determine whether STAR mapping using sequential recordings from conventional pulmonary vein mapping catheters could achieve similar results. Patients with persistent AF<2 years were included. Following pulmonary vein isolation AF drivers (AFDs) were identified on sequential STAR maps created with PentaRay, IntellaMap Orion, or Advisor HD Grid catheters. Patients had a minimum of 10 multipolar recordings of 30 seconds each. These were processed in real-time and AFDs were targeted with ablation. An ablation response was defined as AF termination or cycle length slowing ≥30 ms. RESULTS Thirty patients were included (62.4±7.8 years old, AF duration 14.1±4.3 months) of which 3 had AF terminated on pulmonary vein isolation, leaving 27 patients that underwent STAR-guided AFD ablation. Eighty-three potential AFDs were identified (3.1±1.1 per patient) of which 70 were targeted with ablation (2.6±1.2 per patient). An ablation response was seen at 54 AFDs (77.1% of AFDs; 21 AF termination and 33 cycle length slowing) and occurred in all 27 patients. No complications occurred. At 17.3±10.1 months, 22 out of 27 (81.5%) patients undergoing STAR-guided ablation were free from AF/atrial tachycardia off antiarrhythmic drugs. CONCLUSIONS STAR-guided AFD ablation through sequential mapping with a multipolar catheter effectively achieved an ablation response in all patients. AF terminated in a majority of patients, with a high freedom from AF/atrial tachycardia off antiarrhythmic drugs at long-term follow-up. Registration: URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov; Unique identifier: NCT02950844.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Malcolm Finlay
- Barts Heart Centre, Barts Health NHS Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Emily Keating
- Barts Heart Centre, Barts Health NHS Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Ross J Hunter
- Barts Heart Centre, Barts Health NHS Trust, London, United Kingdom
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14
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Koneshloo A, Du D, Du Y. An Uncertainty Modeling Framework for Intracardiac Electrogram Analysis. Bioengineering (Basel) 2020; 7:E62. [PMID: 32604784 PMCID: PMC7355499 DOI: 10.3390/bioengineering7020062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2020] [Revised: 06/22/2020] [Accepted: 06/24/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Intracardiac electrograms (EGMs) are electrical signals measured within the chambers of the heart, which can be used to locate abnormal cardiac tissue and guide catheter ablations to treat cardiac arrhythmias. EGMs may contain large amounts of uncertainty and irregular variations, which pose significant challenges in data analysis. This study aims to introduce a statistical approach to account for the data uncertainty while analyzing EGMs for abnormal electrical impulse identification. The activation order of catheter sensors was modeled with a multinomial distribution, and maximum likelihood estimations were done to track the electrical wave conduction path in the presence of uncertainty. Robust optimization was performed to locate the electrical impulses based on the local conduction velocity and the geodesic distances between catheter sensors. The proposed algorithm can identify the focal sources when the electrical conduction is initiated by irregular electrical impulses and involves wave collisions, breakups, and spiral waves. The statistical modeling framework can efficiently deal with data uncertainties and provide a reliable estimation of the focal source locations. This shows the great potential of a statistical approach for the quantitative analysis of the stochastic activity of electrical waves in cardiac disorders and suggests future investigations integrating statistical methods with a deterministic geometry-based method to achieve advanced diagnostic performance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amirhossein Koneshloo
- Department of Industrial, Manufacturing and Systems Engineering, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79409, USA
| | - Dongping Du
- Department of Industrial, Manufacturing and Systems Engineering, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79409, USA
| | - Yuncheng Du
- Department of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, Clarkson University, Potsdam, NY 13699, USA
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15
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Ganesan P, Cherry EM, Huang DT, Pertsov AM, Ghoraani B. Atrial fibrillation source area probability mapping using electrogram patterns of multipole catheters. Biomed Eng Online 2020; 19:27. [PMID: 32370754 PMCID: PMC7201756 DOI: 10.1186/s12938-020-00769-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2019] [Accepted: 04/15/2020] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Catheter ablation therapy involving isolation of pulmonary veins (PVs) from the left atrium is performed to terminate atrial fibrillation (AF). Unfortunately, standalone PV isolation procedure has shown to be a suboptimal success with AF continuation or recurrence. One reason, especially in patients with persistent or high-burden paroxysmal AF, is known to be due to the formation of repeating-pattern AF sources with a meandering core inside the atria. However, there is a need for accurate mapping and localization of these sources during catheter ablation. METHODS A novel AF source area probability (ASAP) mapping algorithm was developed and evaluated in 2D and 3D atrial simulated tissues with various arrhythmia scenarios and a retrospective study with three cases of clinical human AF. The ASAP mapping analyzes the electrograms collected from a multipole diagnostic catheter that is commonly used during catheter ablation procedure to intelligently sample the atria and delineate the trajectory path of a meandering repeating-pattern AF source. ASAP starts by placing the diagnostic catheter at an arbitrary location in the atria. It analyzes the recorded bipolar electrograms to build an ASAP map over the atrium anatomy and suggests an optimal location for the subsequent catheter location. ASAP then determines from the constructed ASAP map if an AF source has been delineated. If so, the catheter navigation is stopped and the algorithm provides the area of the AF source. Otherwise, the catheter is navigated to the suggested location, and the process is continued until an AF-source area is delineated. RESULTS ASAP delineated the AF source in over 95% of the simulated human AF cases within less than eight catheter placements regardless of the initial catheter placement. The success of ASAP in the clinical AF was confirmed by the ablation outcomes and the electrogram patterns at the delineated area. CONCLUSION Our analysis indicates the potential of the ASAP mapping to provide accurate information about the area of the meandering repeating-pattern AF sources as AF ablation targets for effective AF termination. Our algorithm could improve the success of AF catheter ablation therapy by locating and subsequently targeting patient-specific and repeating-pattern AF sources inside the atria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prasanth Ganesan
- Department of Computer and Electrical Engineering, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL, USA
| | - Elizabeth M Cherry
- School of Computational Science and Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - David T Huang
- Department of Cardiology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, USA
| | - Arkady M Pertsov
- Department of Pharmacology, SUNY Upstate Medical Center, Syracuse, NY, USA
| | - Behnaz Ghoraani
- Department of Computer and Electrical Engineering, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL, USA.
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16
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Honarbakhsh S, Schilling RJ, Keating E, Finlay M, Hunter RJ. Drivers in AF colocate to sites of electrogram organization and rapidity: Potential synergy between spectral analysis and STAR mapping approaches in prioritizing drivers for ablation. J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol 2020; 31:1340-1349. [PMID: 32219906 DOI: 10.1111/jce.14456] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2019] [Revised: 02/27/2020] [Accepted: 03/16/2020] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Stochastic trajectory analysis of ranked signals (STAR) mapping has recently been used to ablate persistent atrial fibrillation (AF) with high rates of AF termination and long-term freedom from AF in small, single-arm studies. We hypothesized that rapidity and organization markers would correlate with early sites of activation (ESA). METHODS Patients undergoing persistent AF ablation as part of the STAR mapping study were included. Five-minute unipolar basket recordings used to create STAR maps were used to determine the minimum-cycle length (Min-CL) and CL variability (CLV) at each electrode to identify the site of the fastest Min-CL and lowest CLV across the left atrium (LA). The location of ESA targeted with ablation was compared with these sites. Dominant frequency was assessed at ESA and compared with that of neighboring electrodes to assess for regional gradients. RESULTS Thirty-two patients were included with 83 ESA ablated, with an ablation response at 73 sites (24 AF termination and 49 CL slowing ≥30 ms). Out of these, 54 (74.0%) and 56 (76.7%) colocated to sites of fastest Min-CL and lowest CLV, respectively. Regional CL and frequency gradients were demonstrable at majority of ESA. ESA colocating to sites of fastest Min-CL and lowest CLV were more likely to terminate AF with ablation (odds ratio, 34 and 29, respectively, P = .02). These showed a moderate sensitivity (74.0% Min-CL and 75.3% CLV) and specificity (66.7% Min-CL and 76.9% CLV) in predicting ESA with an ablation response. CONCLUSIONS ESA correlate with rapidity and organization markers. Further work is needed to clarify any role for spectral analysis in prioritizing driver ablation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Emily Keating
- Barts Heart Centre, Barts Health NHS Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Malcolm Finlay
- Barts Heart Centre, Barts Health NHS Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Ross J Hunter
- Barts Heart Centre, Barts Health NHS Trust, London, United Kingdom.,QUML
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17
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Honarbakhsh S, Schilling RJ, Finlay M, Keating E, Ullah W, Hunter RJ. STAR mapping method to identify driving sites in persistent atrial fibrillation: Application through sequential mapping. J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol 2019; 30:2694-2703. [PMID: 31552697 PMCID: PMC6916564 DOI: 10.1111/jce.14201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2019] [Revised: 09/05/2019] [Accepted: 09/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The optimal way to map localized drivers in persistent atrial fibrillation (AF) remains unclear. The objective of the study was to apply a novel vector mapping approach called Stochastic Trajectory Analysis of Ranked signals (STAR) in AF. METHODS AND RESULTS Patients having persistent AF ablation were included. Early sites of activation (ESA) identified on global STAR maps created with basket catheters were used to guide AF ablation post-pulmonary vein isolation (PVI). All patients also had sequential STAR maps created with ≥10 PentaRay recordings of 30 seconds. These were validated offline in their ability to identify the ESA targeted with a study-defined ablation response (AF termination or cycle length [CL] slowing of ≥30 ms). Thirty-two patients were included in whom 92 ESA were identified on the global STAR maps, with 73 of 83 targeted sites demonstrating an ablation response (24 AF termination and 49 CL slowing). Sixty-one out of 73 (83.6%) ESA were also identified on the sequential STAR maps. These showed greater consistency (P < .001), were seen pre- and post-PVI (P < .001) and were more likely to be associated with AF termination on ablation (P = .007). The sensitivity and specificity of sequential mapping for the detection of ESA with an ablation response was 84.9% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 74.6-92.2) and 90.0% (95% CI = 55.5-99.8), respectively. During a follow-up of 19.4 ± 3.7 months, 28 (80%) patients were free from AF/atrial tachycardia. CONCLUSIONS STAR mapping consistently identified ESA in all patients and the ablation response was compatible with ESA being driver sites. Mechanistically important ESA were successfully identified using sequential recordings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shohreh Honarbakhsh
- Electrophysiology department, The Barts Heart Centre, London, United Kingdom
| | - Richard J Schilling
- Electrophysiology department, The Barts Heart Centre, London, United Kingdom
| | - Malcolm Finlay
- Electrophysiology department, The Barts Heart Centre, London, United Kingdom
| | - Emily Keating
- Electrophysiology department, The Barts Heart Centre, London, United Kingdom
| | - Waqas Ullah
- Electrophysiology department, The Barts Heart Centre, London, United Kingdom
| | - Ross J Hunter
- Electrophysiology department, The Barts Heart Centre, London, United Kingdom
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