Critical appraisal of technologies to assess electrical activity during atrial fibrillation: a position paper from the European heart rhythm association and European society of cardiology working group on ecardiology in collaboration with the heart rhythm society, Asia pacific heart rhythm society, Latin American Heart rhythm society and computing in cardiology

Abstract We aim to provide a critical appraisal of basic concepts underlying signal recording and processing technologies applied for (I) atrial fibrillation (AF) mapping to unravel AF mechanisms and/or identifying target sites for AF therapy and (ii) AF detection, to optimize usage of technologies, stimulate research aimed at closing knowledge gaps, and developing ideal AF recording and processing technologies. Recording and processing techniques for assessment of electrical activity during AF essential for diagnosis and guiding ablative therapy including body surface electrocardiograms (ECG) and endo- or epicardial electrograms (EGM) are evaluated. Discussion of (I) differences in uni-, bi-, and multi-polar (omnipolar/Laplacian) recording modes, (ii) impact of recording technologies on EGM morphology, (iii) global or local mapping using various types of EGM involving signal processing techniques including isochronal-, voltage- fractionation-, dipole density-, and rotor mapping, enabling derivation of parameters like atrial rate, entropy, conduction velocity/direction, (iv) value of epicardial and optical mapping, (v) AF detection by cardiac implantable electronic devices containing various detection algorithms applicable to stored EGMs, (vi) contribution of machine learning (ML) to further improvement of signals processing technologies. Recording and processing of EGM (or ECG) are the cornerstones of (body surface) mapping of AF. Currently available AF recording and processing technologies are mainly restricted to specific applications or have technological limitations. Improvements in AF mapping by obtaining highest fidelity source signals (e. g. catheter­electrode combinations) for signal processing (e. g. filtering, digitization, and noise elimination) is of utmost importance. Novel acquisition instruments (multi-polar catheters combined with improved physical modelling and ML techniques) will enable enhanced and automated interpretation of EGM recordings in the near future.

Critical appraisal of technologies to assess electrical activity during atrial fibrillation: a position paper from the European Heart Rhythm Association and European Society of Cardiology Working Group on eCardiology in collaboration with the Heart Rhythm Society, Asia Pacific Heart Rhythm Society, Latin American Heart Rhythm Society and Computing in Cardiology.

We aim to provide a critical appraisal of basic concepts underlying signal recording and processing technologies applied for (i) atrial fibrillation (AF) mapping to unravel AF mechanisms and/or identifying target sites for AF therapy and (ii) AF detection, to optimize usage of technologies, stimulate research aimed at closing knowledge gaps, and developing ideal AF recording and processing technologies. Recording and processing techniques for assessment of electrical activity during AF essential for diagnosis and guiding ablative therapy including body surface electrocardiograms (ECG) and endo- or epicardial electrograms (EGM) are evaluated. Discussion of (i) differences in uni-, bi-, and multi-polar (omnipolar/Laplacian) recording modes, (ii) impact of recording technologies on EGM morphology, (iii) global or local mapping using various types of EGM involving signal processing techniques including isochronal-, voltage- fractionation-, dipole density-, and rotor mapping, enabling derivation of parameters like atrial rate, entropy, conduction velocity/direction, (iv) value of epicardial and optical mapping, (v) AF detection by cardiac implantable electronic devices containing various detection algorithms applicable to stored EGMs, (vi) contribution of machine learning (ML) to further improvement of signals processing technologies. Recording and processing of EGM (or ECG) are the cornerstones of (body surface) mapping of AF. Currently available AF recording and processing technologies are mainly restricted to specific applications or have technological limitations. Improvements in AF mapping by obtaining highest fidelity source signals (e.g. catheter-electrode combinations) for signal processing (e.g. filtering, digitization, and noise elimination) is of utmost importance. Novel acquisition instruments (multi-polar catheters combined with improved physical modelling and ML techniques) will enable enhanced and automated interpretation of EGM recordings in the near future.

Desenlaces a un año en pacientes con síncope de alto y bajo riesgo / One-year outcomes in patients with high-risk and low-risk syncope

Resumen Introducción: El síncope es un síntoma complejo de evaluar, que además representa un reto diagnóstico; la estratificación inadecuada del riesgo de los pacientes puede conllevar mal uso de los recursos en salud y aumentar así el costo derivado de la atención. Objetivo: Comparar la incidencia de desenlaces a un año en pacientes con síncope de alto y bajo riesgo en cuatro hospitales de Bogotá. Metodología: Estudio de cohorte retrospectiva, en el que se incluyeron pacientes mayores de 18 años que consultaron a urgencias por síncope, y que fueron seguidos desde febrero de 2013 hasta julio de 2015. Fueron clasificados en bajo y alto riesgo según la escala de Martin et al. Se hizo seguimiento telefónico para evaluar los desenlaces a un año. Resultados: Los pacientes de alto riesgo tienen mayor frecuencia de mortalidad, recurrencia del síncope, requerimiento de hospitalización, eventos neurológicos y necesidad de intervención cardiovascular. La mortalidad global está alrededor del 6% y en el subgrupo de pacientes de mayor puntaje (4 puntos) asciende al 16,6%. La mayoría de eventos se presentaron en los primeros 6 meses de seguimiento. La mortalidad y la necesidad de intervención cardiovascular tuvieron un incremento de su frecuencia a medida que aumentó el puntaje de la escala. Conclusión: Los pacientes clasificados en alto riesgo según la escala de Martin et al. tienen mayor frecuencia de desenlaces adversos a un año de seguimiento, y por tanto podrían beneficiarse de un estudio más amplio y expedito de la causa del síncope.

Abstract Introduction: Syncope is a complex symptom to assess, and is a diagnostic challenge. The inadequate risk stratification can lead to the inappropriate use of health resources and to an increase in the costs arising from the care. Objective: To compare the outcomes at one year in patients with high and low risk syncope in four Bogota hospitals. Material and method: A retrospective cohort study was conducted that included patients over 18 years-old that were seen in the Emergency Department due to a syncope. They were followed-up from February 2013 until July 2015. They were classified into low and high risk according to the score on the scale of Martin et al. At one year, a telephone call follow-up was made to assess the outcomes. Results: The high risk patients had higher rates of mortality and recurrence of syncope, required more hospital admissions, had more neurological events, and a greater need for cardiac intervention. The overall mortality was 6%, and in sub-group of patients with a higher score (4 points) it increased to 16.6%. The majority of events occurred in the first 6 months of follow-up. The mortality and the need for cardiovascular intervention were associated with the increase in the score on the scale. Conclusion: Patients classified as high risk according to the scale of Martin et al. are more likely to have adverse outcomes at one year of follow-up, and thus could benefit from a larger study and directed at the cause of the syncope.