title: Determining conduction patterns on a sparse electrode grid: Implications for the analysis of clinical arrhythmias.
abstract: We present a general method of utilizing bioelectric recordings from a spatially sparse electrode grid to compute a dynamic vector field describing the underlying propagation of electrical activity. This vector field, termed the wave-front flow field, permits quantitative analysis of the magnitude of rotational activity (vorticity) and focal activity (divergence) at each spatial point. We apply this method to signals recorded during arrhythmias in human atria and ventricles using a multipolar contact catheter and show that the flow fields correlate with corresponding activation maps. Further, regions of elevated vorticity and divergence correspond to sites identified as clinically significant rotors and focal sources where therapeutic intervention can be effective. These flow fields can provide quantitative insights into the dynamics of normal and abnormal conduction in humans and could potentially be used to enhance therapies for cardiac arrhythmias.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physics, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, USA.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Vidmar
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Stanford University, Palo Alto, California 94305, USA.
authors.forename: Sanjiv M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Narayan
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, USA and the Veterans Administration San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, California 92161, USA.
authors.forename: David E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Krummen
authors.affiliation: Department of Physics, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92903, USA.
authors.forename: Wouter-Jan
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Rappel
mesh_terms: D001145:Arrhythmias, Cardiac / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology; D016275:Atrial Function; D004566:Electrodes; D055724:Electrophysiological Phenomena / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D016276:Ventricular Function / Q000502:physiology