Paradigm shifts in electrophysiological mechanisms of atrial fibrillation

• DOI: 10.1093/europace/euaa384
• Publication Date: 2020-12-03T12:35:36Z
• Authors: Ulrich Schotten; Seungyup Lee; Stef Zeemering; Albert L Waldo
• Keywords: Cardiac Electrophysiology

Determining the sequence of activation is a major source information for understanding electrophysiological mechanism(s) atrial fibrillation (AF). However, complex morphology electrograms hampers their analysis, and has stimulated generations electrophysiologists to develop large variety technologies recording, pre-processing, analysis electrograms. This variability approaches mirrored by in interpretation and, thereby, opinions regarding basic AF vary widely. Multiple wavelets, different types re-entry including rotors, double layers, multiple focal patterns all have been advocated, comprehensive commonly accepted paradigm fundamental mechanisms still lacking. Here, we summarize Maastricht perspective Cleveland mechanism(s). We also describe some key observations mapping reported over past decades, how they changed years, often as results new techniques introduced experimental field research.