A novel approach to propagation pattern analysis in intracardiac atrial fibrillation signals
Author
Summary, in English
The purpose of this study is to investigate propagation patterns in intracardiac signals recorded during atrial fibrillation (AF) using an approach based on partial directed coherence (PDC), which evaluates directional coupling between multiple signals in the frequency domain. The PDC is evaluated at the dominant frequency of AF signals and tested for significance using a surrogate data procedure specifically designed to assess causality. For significantly coupled sites, the approach allows also to estimate the delay in propagation. The methods potential is illustrated with two simulation scenarios based on a detailed ionic model of the human atrial myocyte as well as with real data recordings, selected to present typical propagation mechanisms and recording situations in atrial tachyarrhythmias. In both simulation scenarios the significant PDCs correctly reflect the direction of coupling and thus the propagation between all recording sites. In the real data recordings, clear propagation patterns are identified which agree with previous clinical observations. Thus, the results illustrate the ability of the novel approach to identify propagation patterns from intracardiac signals during AF, which can provide important information about the underlying AF mechanisms, potentially improving the planning and outcome of arrhythmia ablation.
Publishing year
2011
Language
English
Pages
310-323
Publication/Series
Annals of Biomedical Engineering
Volume
39
Document type
Journal article
Publisher
Springer
Topic
- Electrical Engineering, Electronic Engineering, Information Engineering
Status
Published
Research group
- Signal Processing
ISBN/ISSN/Other
- ISSN: 1573-9686