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Identification of High Priority Focal Activations in Persistent Atrial Fibrillation Using A Novel Mapping Strategy
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  • Masafumi Shimojo,
  • Yasuya Inden,
  • Satoshi Yanagisawa,
  • Shuro Riku,
  • Kazumasa Suga,
  • Koichi Furui,
  • Toshifumi Nakagomi,
  • Takashi Okajima,
  • Rei Shibata,
  • Toyoaki Murohara
Masafumi Shimojo
Nagoya University Hospital
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Yasuya Inden
Nagoya University

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

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Satoshi Yanagisawa
Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine
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Shuro Riku
Nagoya University
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Kazumasa Suga
Nagoya University
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Koichi Furui
Nagoya University
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Toshifumi Nakagomi
Nagoya University
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Takashi Okajima
Nagoya University Hospital
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Rei Shibata
Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine
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Toyoaki Murohara
Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine
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Abstract

Introduction: Focal activation is believed to be an atrial fibrillation (AF) driver; however, little is known about whether all focal activations are necessary for AF persistence. The purpose of this study was to assess the electrical nature of focal activation and identify high-priority focal activations using a novel mapping system (CARTOFINDER). Methods: Thirty-five patients with persistent AF who underwent catheter ablation were assessed. Cycle length (CL) and CL standard deviation (CLSD) on unipolar recordings and voltage amplitude and electrogram morphologies on bipolar recordings were evaluated at all points of interest. The most frequent CL at each mapping site was defined as the dominant CL. We identified dominant focal activations (DFAs) that had a shorter dominant CL on the integrated CARTOFINDER map. The effect of elimination of DFAs on AF maintenance was assessed by the composite endpoint (termination to sinus rhythm, organization of the rhythm to atrial tachycardia, and AF CL slowing). Results: In all, 450 focal activations were identified among 10,868 points, and 50.4% of focal activations were DFAs. Focal activations showed relatively long CL and regularity with short CLSD. Most focal activations showed an isoelectric baseline and were located outside of the fractionated electrogram area. Both DFAs and non-DFAs were typically observed in normal voltage range. Elimination of DFAs was achieved in 19 (54.3%) patients, with a remarkable impact on AF maintenance (68.4% vs. 25.0%, p = 0.018). Conclusions: DFAs may play an important role in AF maintenance and could be an attractive therapeutic target for AF.