Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 2, 2026

Estimating Bilateral Atrial Function by Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance Feature Tracking in Patients with Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation
Published on: July 20, 2022
Clinical, electrocardiographic and electrophysiological predictors of atrial fibrillation development in different
P Zecchi1, A Dello Russo, G Pelargonio
1Istituto di Cardiologia, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy.
Insights
This review identifies clinical, electrocardiographic, and electrophysiologic predictors for atrial fibrillation development. These factors are crucial for risk stratification in various patient groups, including those with hypertension and heart failure.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Electrophysiology
- Preventive Medicine
Background:
- Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a common arrhythmia with significant morbidity.
- Identifying predictive markers for AF development is crucial for early intervention.
- Existing literature presents diverse predictors, necessitating a comprehensive review.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review clinical, electrocardiographic, and electrophysiologic parameters predictive of atrial fibrillation.
- To evaluate the predictive value of these parameters across different patient populations and clinical conditions.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of observational studies (Framingham Heart Study, Cardiovascular Health Study).
- Analysis of electrocardiogram (ECG)-derived predictors (12-lead surface ECG, signal-averaged P-wave).
- Evaluation of electrophysiologic predictors (atrial monophasic action potential analysis).
Main Results:
- Clinical parameters from large cohorts provide insights into AF risk.
- Specific ECG findings and P-wave characteristics are associated with future AF.
- Atrial electrophysiology measurements offer additional predictive information.
Conclusions:
- A combination of clinical, ECG, and electrophysiologic parameters can predict atrial fibrillation development.
- These predictors hold value in patients without structural heart disease and in those with common comorbidities like hypertension and heart failure.
Abstract:
We performed a review of the current literature in order to evaluate clinical, electrocardiographic and electrophysiologic parameters predictive of atrial fibrillation development. Clinical parameters were obtained from two large observational studies (the Framingham heart study and the Cardiovascular health study). Different laboratoristic predictors were also reviewed: ECG-derived predictors, among which we separately evaluated those derived from the 12-lead surface ECG and those derived from the signal averaged P-wave, and other electrophysiologic predictors as atrial monophasic action potential analysis. We also evaluated the clinical value of these different parameters in atrial fibrillation in patients with no overt structural heart disease and in the most common clinical conditions known to be related to atrial fibrillation development such as hypertension, heart failure, cardiovascular surgery.
Related Concept Videos
ECG Interpretation of Arrhythmias II: Atrial, Junctional and Ventricular Arrhythmias
Dysrhythmias V: Evaluating Dysrhythmias
Electrocardiogram
Three major waveforms are present in a typical ECG recording: the P wave, the QRS complex, and the T...
Mechanism of Cardiac Arrhythmias
Disturbances in Heart Rhythm
Arrhythmias are categorized by their speed, rhythm, and origin. A slow heart...
Electrocardiogram Fundamentals
An electrocardiogram (ECG) is a diagnostic tool for identifying cardiac conditions such as arrhythmias, conduction abnormalities, and myocardial ischemia.
Definition
An electrocardiogram (ECG) visualizes the heart's electrical activity by tracing the electrical movement associated with each heartbeat on a graph or monitor. As the heart beats, an electrical wave passes through it, correlating with the cardiac cycle events.
Parts of an ECG
An ECG utilizes electrodes on the skin to...

