Background: Low voltage substrate (LVS) identified during electroanatomical mapping is a potential target for atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation. However, it is not clear how the location and extent of LVS correlate between mapping in sinus rhythm (SR) and AF. Objectives: (1) Identify voltage dissimilarities between mapping in SR and AF. (2) Identification of regional voltage thresholds that improve cross-rhythm substrate detection. (3) Comparison of LVS between SR and native vs. induced AF. Methods: Forty-one ablation-naive persistent AF patients underwent high-density voltage mapping in SR and AF. Each patients voltage information was mapped to a joint geometry for analysis. Global and regional voltage thresholds in AF were identified which best match LVS < 0.5mV and < 1.0mV in SR. Additionally, the correlation between SR-LVS with induced vs. native AF LVS was assessed. Results: Substantial voltage differences (median: 0.52, IQR: 0.33-0.69, max: 1.19 mV) with predominance of the posterior/inferior LA wall exist between the rhythms. An AF threshold of 0.34mV for the entire atrium provides an accuracy, sensitivity and specificity of 69%, 67% and 69% to identify SR-LVS < 0.5mV, respectively. Lower thresholds for the posterior wall (0.27 mV) and inferior wall (0.3 mV) result in higher spatial concordance to SR-LVS (4% and 7% increase). Concordance with SR-LVS was higher for induced AF compared to native AF (AUC: 0.80 vs. 0.73). AF-LVS < 0.5mV corresponds to SR-LVS < 0.97mV using high-definition mapping (AUC: 0.73). Conclusion: The proposed voltage thresholds during AF maximise the consistency of LVS identification as determined during SR. Regional thresholds can further improve concordance.
IntroductionImproved sinus rhythm (SR) maintenance rates have been achieved in patients with persistent atrial fibrillation (AF) undergoing pulmonary vein isolation plus additional ablation of low voltage substrate (LVS) during SR. However, voltage mapping during SR may be hindered in persistent and long‐persistent AF patients by immediate AF recurrence after electrical cardioversion. We assess correlations between LVS extent and location during SR and AF, aiming to identify regional voltage thresholds for rhythm‐independent delineation/detection of LVS areas. (1) Identification of voltage dissimilarities between mapping in SR and AF. (2) Identification of regional voltage thresholds that improve cross‐rhythm substrate detection. (3) Comparison of LVS between SR and native versus induced AF.MethodsForty‐one ablation‐naive persistent AF patients underwent high‐definition (1 mm electrodes; >1200 left atrial (LA) mapping sites per rhythm) voltage mapping in SR and AF. Global and regional voltage thresholds in AF were identified which best match LVS < 0.5 mV and <1.0 mV in SR. Additionally, the correlation between SR‐LVS with induced versus native AF‐LVS was assessed.ResultsSubstantial voltage differences (median: 0.52, interquartile range: 0.33–0.69, maximum: 1.19 mV) with a predominance of the posterior/inferior LA wall exist between the rhythms. An AF threshold of 0.34 mV for the entire left atrium provides an accuracy, sensitivity and specificity of 69%, 67%, and 69% to identify SR‐LVS < 0.5 mV, respectively. Lower thresholds for the posterior wall (0.27 mV) and inferior wall (0.3 mV) result in higher spatial concordance to SR‐LVS (4% and 7% increase). Concordance with SR‐LVS was higher for induced AF compared to native AF (area under the curve[AUC]: 0.80 vs. 0.73). AF‐LVS < 0.5 mV corresponds to SR‐LVS < 0.97 mV (AUC: 0.73).ConclusionAlthough the proposed region‐specific voltage thresholds during AF improve the consistency of LVS identification as determined during SR, the concordance in LVS between SR and AF remains moderate, with larger LVS detection during AF. Voltage‐based substrate ablation should preferentially be performed during SR to limit the amount of ablated atrial myocardium.
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