Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 3, 2026
09:17
High-Resolution Endocardial and Epicardial Optical Mapping in a Sheep Model of Stretch-Induced Atrial Fibrillation
Published on: July 29, 2011
Tau20-RETROmapping System Identifies Driver-Like Activation Patterns in Real Time During Persistent Atrial
Oliver Jones1,2,3, Nick Linton1,2,3, Stewart Bissett2
1Imperial College, London, United Kingdom (O.S.J., N.L., S.K., J.K., H.W., A.A.D., Q.Z., I.J., A.D.A., N.S.P., D.K., F.S.N., Z.I.W., B.T., E.D., P.K.).
Circulation. Arrhythmia and Electrophysiology
|July 2, 2026
Summary
This study validates the Tau20-RETROmapping system for atrial fibrillation (AF) mapping. The system accurately identifies AF drivers, particularly around the left atrial appendage (LAA), improving ablation strategies.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Electrophysiology
- Medical Devices
Background:
- Conventional atrial fibrillation (AF) mapping faces challenges due to low-amplitude electrograms and cycle length variability.
- The investigational Tau20-RETROmapping system offers high-density, real-time activation mapping to identify nonpulmonary vein AF drivers.
Purpose of the Study:
- To validate the accuracy of the Tau20-RETROmapping system for left atrial mapping.
- To apply the system for identifying atrial fibrillation drivers.
Main Methods:
- Utilized 3D electroanatomic mapping systems with high-density catheters to acquire left atrial geometry.
- Recorded electrograms and applied the Tau20-RETROmapping system for real-time activation mapping.
- Manually validated system performance against local electrograms in various cardiac rhythms.
Main Results:
- The system demonstrated high sensitivity and specificity in identifying organized AF wavefronts (94.4% and 97.1%, respectively).
- Accurate identification of earliest activation occurred in 89.6% of waves.
- Propagation patterns originating from or near the left atrial appendage (LAA) were frequently observed.
Conclusions:
- The Tau20-RETROmapping system provides real-time activation mapping for AF.
- The system effectively identifies driver-like areas, predominantly around the LAA, aiding in understanding AF mechanisms.
