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Effects of inter-electrode spacing on complex fractionated atrial electrograms and dominant frequency detection

Journal of Interventional Cardiac Electrophysiology volume 34, pages 51–57 (2012)Cite this article

Abstract

Background

The influence of inter-electrode spacing (IES) on complex fractionated atrial electrograms (CFAEs) and dominant frequency (DF) detection was assessed.

Methods

Bipolar electrograms were recorded via an octapolar catheter (2-mm electrode spacing) from left atrial CFAEs sites in 17 atrial fibrillation patients. The CFE-mean was calculated at IES of the electrode pairs 1–2, 1–3, 1–4, 1–5, and 1–6. The DF, regularity index (RI), and organization index (OI) were simultaneously analyzed.

Results

The CFE-mean decreased as the IES increased (from 71 ± 15 ms of IES 1–2 to 61 ± 8 ms of IES 1–3, 57 ± 6 ms of IES 1–4, 57 ± 8 ms of IES 1–5, and 58 ± 9 ms of IES 1–6, respectively; IES 1–2 vs. 1–3 to 1–6, P < 0.01). The DF was unchanged (6.6 ± 1.6 Hz for all; P > 0.99). However, the RI decreased as the IES increased (from 0.30 ± 0.11 to 0.26 ± 0.11, 0.23 ± 0.11, 0.22 ± 0.12, and 0.20 ± 0.12; IES 1–2 vs. 1–3 to 1–6, P < 0.01), as did the OI (from 0.39 ± 0.14 to 0.34 ± 0.12, 0.32 ± 0.13, 0.29 ± 0.13, and 0.28 ± 0.13; IES 1–2 vs. 1–3 to 1–6, P < 0.01).

Conclusions

A wider IES might detect dyssynchronous activations, leading to a reduced CFE-mean and RI and OI. Therefore, bipolar signals recorded with a narrower IES might be preferable to more precisely localizing CFAEs and DF sites.

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  1. Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Nihon University School of Medicine, 30-1 Ohyaguchi Kamicho, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo, 173-8610, Japan

    Koichi Nagashima, Yasuo Okumura, Ichiro Watanabe, Toshiko Nakai, Kimie Ohkubo, Tatsuya Kofune, Masayoshi Kofune, Hiroaki Mano, Kazumasa Sonoda & Atsushi Hirayama

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  1. Koichi Nagashima
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  2. Yasuo Okumura
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Correspondence to Yasuo Okumura.

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Nagashima, K., Okumura, Y., Watanabe, I. et al. Effects of inter-electrode spacing on complex fractionated atrial electrograms and dominant frequency detection. J Interv Card Electrophysiol 34, 51–57 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10840-011-9654-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10840-011-9654-1

Keywords

  • Atrial fibrillation
  • Dominant frequency
  • Complex fractionated atrial electrogram
  • Inter-electrode spacing