Driver characteristics associated with structurally and electrically remodeled atria in persistent atrial fibrillation.

BACKGROUND

Recent studies suggest persistent atrial fibrillation (AF) is maintained by localized focal or rotational electrical activations termed drivers.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to evaluate how left atrial (LA) dilation and time in AF impact persistent AF mechanisms.

METHODS

Patients with persistent AF <2 years underwent electrocardiographic image mapping. Potential drivers (PDs) were defined as rotational wavefront activity ≥1.5 revolutions or focal activations. Distribution of PDs was recorded using an 18-segment model.

RESULTS

One hundred patients were enrolled (age 61.3 ± 12.1 years). Of these patients, 47 were hypertensive, 14 had diabetes mellitus, and 10 had ischemic heart disease. AF duration was 8 [5-15] months. Median LA diameter was 39 [33-43] mm. Although LA dimensions did not correlate with overall PD burden or distribution, there was a modest correlation between increasing LA area (r = 0.235; P = .024) and LA volume (r = 0.216; P = .039) with proportion of PDs that were rotational. Although time in AF did not correlate with overall PD burden or distribution, there was a correlation between time in AF and the number of focal PDs (r = 0.203; P = .044). Female gender, increasing age, and hypertension also were associated with an increase in focal PDs.

CONCLUSION

This is the first study to demonstrate different AF mechanisms in patient subgroups. Greater understanding of patient-specific AF mechanisms may facilitate a tailored approach to AF mapping and ablation.