Atrial Fibrillation Characterization on Paroxysmal and Persistent Patients

The main objective of this project is to develop and validate new biomarkers based on a pre-existing methodology for the non-invasive identification of the mechanisms that are responsible for the maintenance of AF. This will be achieved by using a body surface potential mapping recording and using the signal to develop a new algorithm that is able to, from the acquired signals acquired during sinus rhythm, extract relevant features for an accurate prediction of long-term ablation outcome for patients with AF.

Inclusion criteria

• Patients with paroxysmal or persistent AF symptomatic and refractory to at least one antiarrhythmic medication arriving in sinus rhythm to the electrophysiology laboratory.
• Patients must be able and willing to provide written informed consent to participate in the study.
• Prior anticoagulation for> 4 weeks or transesophageal echocardiogram excluding intracardiac thrombi.

Exclusion criteria

• Patients with inadequate anticoagulation levels, left atrial thrombus, tumor, or another abnormality which precludes catheter introduction on TEE prior to the procedure.
• Patients with moderate-to-severe mitral regurgitation.
• Patients with contraindications to systemic anticoagulation with heparin or coumadin.
• Patients who are or may potentially be pregnant.
• Current enrollment in another investigational drug or device study.