Abstract

CONSERVED ROTORS IN RECURRENT AF.Recurrent atrial fibrillation (AF) after ablation is associated with reconnection of initially isolated pulmonary vein (PV) trigger sites. Substrates are often targeted in addition to PVI, but it is unclear how substrates progress over time. We studied if substrates in recurrent AF are conserved or have developed de novo from pre-ablation AF.Of 137 patients undergoing Focal Impulse and Rotor Mapping (FIRM) at their index procedure for AF, 29 consecutive patients (60±8 years, 79% persistent) recurred and were also mapped at repeat procedure (21±20 months later) using carefully placed 64-pole baskets and RhythmView(TM) (Topera, Menlo Park, CA) to identify AF sources and disorganized zones. Compared to index AF, recurrent AF had a longer cycle length (177±21 vs. 167±19ms, p = 0.01). All patients (100%) had one or more conserved AF rotors between procedures with surrounding disorganization. The number of sources was similar for recurrent AF post-PVI versus index AF (3.2±1.4 vs. 3.1±1.0, p = 0.79), but was lower for recurrent AF after FIRM+PVI versus index AF (4.4±1.4 vs. 2.9±1.7, p = 0.03). Overall, 81% (61/75) of AF sources lay in conserved regions, while 19% (14/75) were detected de novo.Electrical propagation patterns for recurrent AF after unsuccessful ablation are similar in individual patients to their index AF. These data support temporospatial stability of AF substrates over 1-2 years. Trials should determine the relative benefit of adding substrate-mapping and ablation to PVI for recurrent AF. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

View details for DOI 10.1111/jce.12964

View details for Web of Science ID 000378396900001

View details for PubMedID 26918971