Spatial Autocorrelation Dimension (D_i ) for the Characterisation of Atrial Fibrillatory Dynamics

Area of Science:

• Complex Systems Science
• Cardiology
• Biophysics

Background:

• Atrial fibrillation (AF) is often characterized by spatiotemporal disorder.
• Understanding AF dynamics can benefit from studying well-established disordered systems in nature.
• Current AF research paradigms have led to stagnant clinical outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce and review the scientific basis of spatial autocorrelation dimension (Di) as a novel method for quantifying disorder in AF.
• To relate Di to the clinical aspects of AF, including atrial size and spatial synchronization.
• To propose a new framework for studying AF dynamics based on principles of disordered systems.

Main Methods:

• Reviewing the concept of spatial autocorrelation dimension (Di) from disordered systems theory.
• Relating system size and spatial synchronization in disordered systems to atrial size and electrogram self-similarity in AF.
• Applying principles of disordered systems to analyze and quantify AF dynamics.

Main Results:

• Spatial autocorrelation dimension (Di) quantifies disorder in AF by reflecting the ratio of system size to spatial synchronization.
• Atrial size and spatial synchronization are key determinants of AF behavior and clinical outcomes, analogous to disordered systems.
• The self-similarity of nearby electrograms with increasing distance can quantify spatial synchronization.

Conclusions:

• Viewing AF as a disordered system offers a novel approach to understanding its dynamics.
• Spatial autocorrelation dimension (Di) provides a new metric for quantifying AF disorder.
• This approach may overcome limitations of traditional AF theories and improve clinical outcomes.