Ripple Frequency Determined via a Novel Algorithm is Associated with
Atrial Fibrillation Termination and Freedom from Atrial Fibrillation
Abstract
Background: Persistent atrial fibrillation (PsAF) is a complex
arrhythmia and achieving a high rate of freedom from recurrence of AF by
catheter ablation has been challenging. CARTO® Ripple map has previously
been identified as one possible method to improve ablation outcomes.
Objective: To evaluate the relationship of AF termination and 18-month
freedom from AF with Ripple Frequency measured via a novel CARTO®
software algorithm. Methods: PsAF patients who underwent first time
ablation were included. PV antral isolation was performed followed by
locations with visually identified fast Ripple activations until AF
termination. Patients were followed for 18 months. Retrospective
analysis was performed using a novel CARTO® software algorithm to
analyze Ripple Frequency. The Ripple Frequency algorithm quantifies
amplitude changes in the bipolar electrogram over time. Results: 82 maps
from 54 patients (mean age 65.4, 67% male) were analyzed. The top
quartile of Ripple Frequency corresponded to a visual reference with
96.1% sensitivity and 84.7% specificity. AF terminated during ablation
in 90.7% of patients: PV antrum alone (14.8%), or PV plus non-antral
sites (85.2%). The top quartile of Ripple frequency was present in
non-antral sites associated with AF termination with an 89.6%
sensitivity and 87.7% specificity. After 18 months and a mean of 1.2
ablations, 53/54 patients (98.1%) were free of AF and 85.2% were free
of any atrial arrhythmia. Conclusion: Automated analysis of CARTO®
Ripple Frequency demonstrated good sensitivity and specificity for
detecting atrial regions in PsAF where ablation is associated with AF
termination and freedom from AF after 18 months.