Validation of an algorithm for automatic calculation of inter-lesion distance in radiofrequency catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation

Abstract

Atrial Fibrillation (AF) is a heart rhythm disorder characterized by rapid and irregular atrial contractions, which can increase the risk of stroke and decrease patients' quality of life. One of the main techniques to treat AF is RF catheter ablation, which involves electrically isolating the pulmonary veins from the rest of the atrium, based on point lesions surrounding the veins. There is still discussion in the community as to what is the optimal interlesion distance to improve the long-term results of AF ablation. A Python tool has been developed that, starting from the AF ablation procedure data, finds the optimal sequence of ablations surrounding the pulmonary veins and thus can calculate the distance between the entire sequence of lesions. The automated algorithm proved to be effective in most cases and in almost all cases semi-automatically. The work provides a tool for the community that can help to optimize AF ablation. In the future, the algorithm could be improved to be 100% automatic, although right now it is already useful and several clinical studies are underway using this tool.