Wave-direction and conduction-velocity analysis from intracardiac electrograms--a single-shot technique
Frank M Weber1, Christopher Schilling, Gunnar Seemann
1Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Karlsruhe 76131, Germany. frank.m.weber@kit.edu
IEEE Transactions on Bio-Medical Engineering
|July 3, 2010
Summary
This study introduces a new method for analyzing intracardiac electrograms (EGMs) to quantitatively measure wave direction and conduction velocity during atrial arrhythmias. This approach offers objective data for electrophysiologists, improving diagnosis and treatment planning.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Biomedical Engineering
- Computational Electrophysiology
Background:
- Atrial arrhythmias like flutter and fibrillation often require catheter ablation.
- Current analysis of intracardiac electrograms (EGMs) is largely subjective.
- Objective quantitative analysis of electrical wave propagation in the atria is needed.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and validate a method for quantitative analysis of single macroscopic wavefronts in intracardiac EGMs.
- To extract local wave direction and conduction velocity from single-beat catheter signals.
- To enable personalized electrophysiological (EP) modeling and enhance EP navigation systems.
Main Methods:
- Simulated clinical EGMs to validate a novel quantitative method.
- Analysis of intracardiac electrogram signals from circular mapping catheters.
- Testing the method on simulated atrial activity and clinical data from patients.
Main Results:
- The method achieved low average errors in direction (<10°) and velocity (<5.4 cm/s) even with noise.
- Successfully distinguished stimuli from different pulmonary veins in realistic atrial simulations.
- Obtained stable wave directions and conduction velocities (70-115 cm/s) in clinical data.
Conclusions:
- The developed method allows for easy, quantitative analysis of single macroscopic wavefronts in intracardiac EGMs.
- Provides an interface for personalizing electrophysiological (EP) models using simulated data.
- Offers potential integration into EP navigation systems for high diagnostic value.
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