Complex Fractionated Atrial Electrograms in Catheter Ablation of Atrial Fibrillation: Dead and Buried?

Radiofrequency catheter ablation of chronic atrial fibrillation guided by complex electrograms.

BACKGROUND Radiofrequency catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation (AF) guided by complex fractionated atrial electrograms has been reported to eliminate AF in a large proportion of patients. However, only a small number of patients with chronic AF have been included in previous studies. METHODS AND RESULTS In 100 patients (mean age, 57+/-11 years) with chronic AF, radiofrequency ablation was...

Review of Dominant Frequency Analysis in Atrial Fibrillation.

Significant advancements have been made in the technology and approach to catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation (AF). Pulmonary vein isolation has emerged as the dominant strategy in this procedure and has fueled innovations in catheter design as well as various mapping and navigation systems. Mapping and targeting of complex fractionated atrial electrograms has also emerged as an additional...

The role of fibroblasts in complex fractionated electrograms during persistent/permanent atrial fibrillation: implications for electrogram-based catheter ablation.

RATIONALE Electrogram-based catheter ablation, targeting complex fractionated atrial electrograms (CFAEs), is empirically known to be effective in halting persistent/permanent atrial fibrillation (AF). However, the mechanisms underlying CFAEs and electrogram-based ablation remain unclear. OBJECTIVE Because atrial fibrosis is associated with persistent/permanent AF, we hypothesized that electr...

Integrative Physiology The Role of Fibroblasts in Complex Fractionated Electrograms During Persistent/Permanent Atrial Fibrillation Implications for Electrogram-Based Catheter Ablation

Scenes from a CFAE: Complex Fractionated Atrial Electrogram Map in a Woman with Longstanding Persistent Atrial Fibrillation Following Mechanical Mitral Valve Replacement.

Case: A 62-year-old woman was referred for atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation. She had longstanding persistent AF for 8 years since mechanical mitral valve replacement for rheumatic heart disease. EPS: A strategy of substrate-based ablation targeting areas of complex fractionated atrial electrograms (CFAE) was pursued. These sites were identified by inspection of electrograms and verified with s...