Modeling atrial pacing

We present a model-based study of a therapeutical approach to atrial fibrillation based on pacing. After a systematic evaluation of different atrial pacing sites, we selected pacing from the septum area and designed a novel septum pacing protocol for atrial fibrillation termination. We then evaluated the performance of septum pacing in different models of atrial fibrillation and investigated the effect atrial substrate (cellular properties, anisotropy and heterogeneities) on the ability to capture during pacing. This study highlights the need for the development of patient-specific algorithms for atrial therapies.