Inverse relationship between fractionated electrograms and atrial fibrosis in persistent atrial fibrillation: combined magnetic resonance imaging and high-density mapping

Jadidi, Amir S; Cochet, Hubert; Shah, Ashok J; Kim, Steven J; Duncan, Edward; Miyazaki, Shinsuke; Sermesant, Maxime; Lehrmann, Heiko; Lederlin, Matthieu; Linton, Nick; Forclaz, Andrei; Nault, Isabelle; Rivard, Lena; Wright, Matthew; Liu, Xingpeng; Scherr, Daniel; Wilton, Stephen B; Roten, Laurent; Pascale, Patrizio; Derval, Nicolas; ... (2013). Inverse relationship between fractionated electrograms and atrial fibrosis in persistent atrial fibrillation: combined magnetic resonance imaging and high-density mapping. Journal of the American College of Cardiology, 62(9), pp. 802-812. Elsevier 10.1016/j.jacc.2013.03.081

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OBJECTIVES

This study sought to evaluate the relationship between fibrosis imaged by delayed-enhancement (DE) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and atrial electrograms (Egms) in persistent atrial fibrillation (AF).

BACKGROUND

Atrial fractionated Egms are strongly related to slow anisotropic conduction. Their relationship to atrial fibrosis has not yet been investigated.

METHODS

Atrial high-resolution MRI of 18 patients with persistent AF (11 long-lasting persistent AF) was registered with mapping geometry (NavX electro-anatomical system (version 8.0, St. Jude Medical, St. Paul, Minnesota)). DE areas were categorized as dense or patchy, depending on their DE content. Left atrial Egms during AF were acquired using a high-density, 20-pole catheter (514 ± 77 sites/map). Fractionation, organization/regularity, local mean cycle length (CL), and voltage were analyzed with regard to DE.

RESULTS

Patients with long-lasting persistent versus persistent AF had larger left atrial (LA) surface area (134 ± 38 cm(2) vs. 98 ± 9 cm(2), p = 0.02), a higher amount of atrial DE (70 ± 16 cm(2) vs. 49 ± 10 cm(2), p = 0.01), more complex fractionated atrial Egm (CFAE) extent (54 ± 16 cm(2) vs. 28 ± 15 cm(2), p = 0.02), and a shorter baseline AF CL (147 ± 10 ms vs. 182 ± 14 ms, p = 0.01). Continuous CFAE (CFEmean [NavX algorithm that quantifies Egm fractionation] <80 ms) occupied 38 ± 19% of total LA surface area. Dense DE was detected at the left posterior left atrium. In contrast, the right posterior left atrium contained predominantly patchy DE. Most CFAE (48 ± 14%) occurred at non-DE LA sites, followed by 41 ± 12% CFAE at patchy DE and 11 ± 6% at dense DE regions (p = 0.005 and p = 0.008, respectively); 19 ± 6% CFAE sites occurred at border zones of dense DE. Egms were less fractionated, with longer CL and lower voltage at dense DE versus non-DE regions: CFEmean: 97 ms versus 76 ms, p < 0.0001; local CL: 153 ms versus 143 ms, p < 0.0001; mean voltage: 0.63 mV versus 0.86 mV, p < 0.0001.

CONCLUSIONS

Atrial fibrosis as defined by DE MRI is associated with slower and more organized electrical activity but with lower voltage than healthy atrial areas. Ninety percent of continuous CFAE sites occur at non-DE and patchy DE LA sites. These findings are important when choosing the ablation strategy in persistent AF.

Item Type:	Journal Article (Original Article)
Division/Institute:	04 Faculty of Medicine > Department of Cardiovascular Disorders (DHGE) > Clinic of Cardiology
UniBE Contributor:	Roten, Laurent
Subjects:	600 Technology > 610 Medicine & health
ISSN:	0735-1097
Publisher:	Elsevier
Language:	English
Submitter:	Laurent Roten
Date Deposited:	25 Feb 2014 09:17
Last Modified:	05 Dec 2022 14:28
Publisher DOI:	10.1016/j.jacc.2013.03.081
PubMed ID:	23727084
Uncontrolled Keywords:	AF, CFAE, CFEmean, CL, CS, DE, Egm, LA, MRI, NavX algorithm that quantifies electrogram fractionation, PV, PVI, aDE, ablation, atrial delayed enhancement, atrial fibrillation, atrial fibrosis, complex fractionated atrial electrogram, coronary sinus, cycle length, delayed enhancement, electrogram, left atrial, magnetic resonance imaging, pulmonary vein, pulmonary vein isolation
URI:	https://boris.unibe.ch/id/eprint/42249