A novel endocardial activation-derived predictor for focal paraseptal atrial tachycardias: Evidence from a multicenter cohort study

Heart Rhythm. 2024 Dec;21(12):2509-2517. doi: 10.1016/j.hrthm.2024.06.017. Epub 2024 Jun 15.

Abstract

Background: The electrocardiogram-based algorithm for predicting paraseptal atrial tachycardia (PSAT) is limited by the significant overlaps in P-wave morphology originating from various paraseptal sites.

Objectives: The goals of this study were to investigate the endocardial activation characteristics of PSAT and to seek an endocardial activation-derived predictor for the ablation site.

Methods: Forty-four patients [11 men (25%); mean age 62.6 ± 14.7 years] with PSAT ablation in 4 tertiary medical centers were assigned to 3 groups according to the ablation site: right atrial (RA) para-Hisian region (group 1, n = 10), noncoronary cusp (NCC) (group 2, n = 13), and left atrial (LA) paraseptal area (group 3, n = 21). Multiple-chamber activation mapping was performed guided by a 3-dimensional navigation system. The discrepancies in the earliest activation time between 2 of 3 chambers (ΔRA-LA, ΔRA-NCC, and ΔLA-NCC) were calculated in each group and used for pairwise comparisons.

Results: There was a significant difference in ΔRA-LA, ΔRA-NCC, and ΔLA-NCC among the 3 groups. ΔRA-LA was the only parameter that could consistently predict the ablation site of PSAT with good accuracy (area under the curve 1.000, sensitivity 100% and specificity 100%, and cutoff value 7 ms for predicting right para-Hisian or NCC ablation; area under the curve 0.974, sensitivity 92.3% and specificity 95.2%, and cutoff value -4 ms for predicting NCC or left paraseptal ablation). Based on 2 cutoff values, a 2-step algorithm was developed to predict the ablation site of PSAT with a positive predictive value of 95.4% and a negative predictive value of 97.0%.

Conclusion: ΔRA-LA is a useful endocardial activation-derived parameter for predicting the successful ablation site of PSAT.

Keywords: Activation mapping; Catheter ablation; Endocardial activation-derived predictor; Multiple-chamber; Paraseptal atrial tachycardia.

Publication types

  • Multicenter Study

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Algorithms
  • Catheter Ablation* / methods
  • Electrocardiography*
  • Endocardium* / physiopathology
  • Female
  • Heart Atria / physiopathology
  • Heart Conduction System / physiopathology
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Predictive Value of Tests
  • Tachycardia, Supraventricular / diagnosis
  • Tachycardia, Supraventricular / physiopathology
  • Tachycardia, Supraventricular / surgery