Changes in f-wave characteristics during cryoballoon catheter ablation

• OBJECTIVE: Changes in ECG-derived parameters are studied in atrial fibrillation (AF) patients undergoing cryoballoon catheter ablation.APPROACH: Parameters characterizing f-wave frequency, morphology by phase dispersion, and amplitude are estimated using a model-based statistical approach. These parameters are studied before, during, and after ablation, as well as for AF type (paroxysmal/persistent). Seventy-seven (49/28 paroxysmal/persistent) AF patients undergoing de novo catheter ablation are included in the study, out of which 31 (16/15 paroxysmal/persistent) were in AF during the whole procedure. A signal quality index (SQI) is used to identify analyzable segments.MAIN RESULTS: f-wave frequency decreased significantly during ablation (p = 0.001), in particular after ablation of the inferior right pulmonary vein (p < 0.05). Frequency and phase dispersion differed significantly between paroxysmal and persistent AF (p = 0.001 and p < 0.05, respectively).SIGNIFICANCE: This study demonstrates that a decrease in f-wave frequency can be distinguished during catheter ablation. The use of an SQI ensures reliable analysis and produces results significantly different from those obtained without an SQI.

Subject headings

TEKNIK OCH TEKNOLOGIER  -- Medicinteknik -- Medicinsk laboratorie- och mätteknik (hsv//swe)

ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY  -- Medical Engineering -- Medical Laboratory and Measurements Technologies (hsv//eng)

Publication and Content Type

art (subject category)

ref (subject category)