Mapping Techniques for Atrial Fibrillation Ablation

• Published in: Current problems in cardiology 2007-12, Vol.32 (12), p.669-767, Article 669
• Main Authors: Sra, Jasbir, MD, FACC, Akhtar, Masood, MD, FACC
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Atrial Fibrillation - diagnosis; Atrial Fibrillation - physiopathology; Atrial Fibrillation - therapy; Atrial Function, Left; Body Surface Potential Mapping - trends; Cardiac Surgical Procedures - trends; Cardiovascular; Catheter Ablation - trends; Echocardiography, Doppler, Color; Echocardiography, Four-Dimensional; Echocardiography, Transesophageal; Electrophysiologic Techniques, Cardiac - trends; Fluoroscopy; Heart Atria - diagnostic imaging; Heart Atria - physiopathology; Heart Atria - surgery; Humans; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; Imaging, Three-Dimensional; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Pulmonary Veins - anatomy & histology; Pulmonary Veins - diagnostic imaging; Pulmonary Veins - physiopathology; Robotics; Surgery, Computer-Assisted; Tomography, X-Ray Computed
• ISSN: 0146-2806; 1535-6280
• DOI: 10.1016/j.cpcardiol.2007.09.002

Abstract Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a common arrhythmia. Although significant work still needs to be done, recent advances in understanding the mechanism of AF have led to the development of elegant catheter mapping techniques for ablation of AF. These improved mapping techniques are complemented by an evolution in various imaging and navigational technologies, several of which can now be combined in a process called registration, so that the physician no longer needs to rely solely on a mental image of the anatomy of the left atrium and the pulmonary vein while attempting to ablate the region. Ongoing advances in mapping technique will increase safety and efficacy and it is likely that AF ablation will become the first-line therapy in most patients with this complicated arrhythmia.