Skip to main content
Top
Published in: Journal of Interventional Cardiac Electrophysiology 2/2011

Open Access 01-11-2011

Utility of virtual unipolar electrogram morphologies to detect transverse conduction block and turnaround points of typical atrial flutter

Authors: Mitsuru Takami, Akihiro Yoshida, Koji Fukuzawa, Asumi Takei, Gaku Kanda, Kaoru Takami, Hiroyuki Kumagai, Satoko Tanaka, Mitsuaki Itoh, Kimitake Imamura, Ryudo Fujiwara, Atsushi Suzuki, Ken-ichi Hirata

Published in: Journal of Interventional Cardiac Electrophysiology | Issue 2/2011

Login to get access

Abstract

Background

Noncontact mapping is useful for the diagnosis of various arrhythmias. Virtual unipolar electrogram morphologies (VUEM) of the conduction block and the turnaround points, however, are not well defined. We compared the VUEM characteristics of a transverse conduction block in the posterior right atrium (RA) with those of contact bipolar electrograms obtained during typical atrial flutter (AFL).

Methods

Contact bipolar electrograms were used to map the posterior RA during typical AFL in 16 patients. Twenty points of the VUEM recorded along the block line were analyzed and compared with contact bipolar electrograms.

Results

Seventeen AFLs were analyzed. Fifteen AFLs showed an incomplete transverse conduction block in the posterior RA by contact bipolar mapping. A double potential on the block line corresponded to the two components of the VUEM, in which the second component showed an Rs, RS, or rS pattern. At the turnaround point, a fused double potential of the contact bipolar electrograms corresponded to a change of the second component of the VUEM from an rS to a QS morphology. Two AFLs showed a complete block line in the posterior RA. The contact bipolar electrogram showed double potentials from the inferior vena cava to the superior vena cava, whereas the second component of the VUEM remained in an unchanged Rs, RS, or rS pattern.

Conclusion

VUEM analysis was a reliable method for identifying the posterior block line during AFL. This method may also be applicable for detecting block lines and turnaround points of circuits in other unmappable arrhythmias.
Literature
1.
go back to reference Schumacher, B., Jung, W., Lewalter, T., & Wolpert, C. (1999). Verification of linear lesions using a noncontact multielectrode array catheter versus conventional contact mapping technique. Journal of Cardiovascular Electrophysiology, 10, 791–798.PubMedCrossRef Schumacher, B., Jung, W., Lewalter, T., & Wolpert, C. (1999). Verification of linear lesions using a noncontact multielectrode array catheter versus conventional contact mapping technique. Journal of Cardiovascular Electrophysiology, 10, 791–798.PubMedCrossRef
2.
go back to reference Schilling, R. J., Peters, N. S., Goldberger, J., Kadish, A. H., & Davies, D. W. (2001). Characterization of the anatomy and conduction velocities of the human right atrial flutter circuit determined by noncontact mapping. Journal of the American College of Cardiology, 38, 385–393.PubMedCrossRef Schilling, R. J., Peters, N. S., Goldberger, J., Kadish, A. H., & Davies, D. W. (2001). Characterization of the anatomy and conduction velocities of the human right atrial flutter circuit determined by noncontact mapping. Journal of the American College of Cardiology, 38, 385–393.PubMedCrossRef
3.
go back to reference Friedman, P. A., Luria, D., Fenton, A. M., Munger, T. M., Jahangir, A., Shen, W. K., et al. (2000). Global right atrial mapping of human atrial flutter: The presence of posteromedial (sinus venosa region) functional block and double potentials. Circulation, 101, 1568–1577.PubMed Friedman, P. A., Luria, D., Fenton, A. M., Munger, T. M., Jahangir, A., Shen, W. K., et al. (2000). Global right atrial mapping of human atrial flutter: The presence of posteromedial (sinus venosa region) functional block and double potentials. Circulation, 101, 1568–1577.PubMed
4.
go back to reference Fukuzawa, K., Yoshida, A., Kubo, S., Takano, T., Kiuchi, K., Kanda, G., et al. (2008). Upper turnover portion of the reentry circuit for typical and reverse typical atrial flutter. Pacing and Clinical Electrophysiology, 31, 1160–1167.PubMedCrossRef Fukuzawa, K., Yoshida, A., Kubo, S., Takano, T., Kiuchi, K., Kanda, G., et al. (2008). Upper turnover portion of the reentry circuit for typical and reverse typical atrial flutter. Pacing and Clinical Electrophysiology, 31, 1160–1167.PubMedCrossRef
5.
go back to reference Fransisco, G., Cosio, F. G., Fernando, A., Barbero, J. M., Kallmeyer, C., & Goicolea, A. (1988). Validation of double-spike electrograms as markers of conduction delay or block in atrial flutter. The American Journal of Cardiology, 61, 775–780.CrossRef Fransisco, G., Cosio, F. G., Fernando, A., Barbero, J. M., Kallmeyer, C., & Goicolea, A. (1988). Validation of double-spike electrograms as markers of conduction delay or block in atrial flutter. The American Journal of Cardiology, 61, 775–780.CrossRef
6.
go back to reference Ishida, A., Yoshida, A., Kitamura, H., Kubo, S., Fukuzawa, K., & Yamashiro, K. (2003). Identification of functional block line in atrial flutter using three-dimensional intracardiac echocardiography. Circulation Journal, 67, 940–944.PubMedCrossRef Ishida, A., Yoshida, A., Kitamura, H., Kubo, S., Fukuzawa, K., & Yamashiro, K. (2003). Identification of functional block line in atrial flutter using three-dimensional intracardiac echocardiography. Circulation Journal, 67, 940–944.PubMedCrossRef
7.
go back to reference Shah, D., Haissaguerre, M., Takahashi, A., Jais, P., Hocini, M., & Clementy, J. (2000). Differential pacing for distinguishing block from persistent conduction through an ablation line. Circulation, 102, 1517–1522.PubMed Shah, D., Haissaguerre, M., Takahashi, A., Jais, P., Hocini, M., & Clementy, J. (2000). Differential pacing for distinguishing block from persistent conduction through an ablation line. Circulation, 102, 1517–1522.PubMed
8.
go back to reference Olshansky, B., Okumura, K., Henthorn, R. W., & Wald, A. L. (1990). Characterization of double potentials in human atrial flutter: Studies during transient entrainment. Journal of the American College of Cardiology, 15, 833–841.PubMedCrossRef Olshansky, B., Okumura, K., Henthorn, R. W., & Wald, A. L. (1990). Characterization of double potentials in human atrial flutter: Studies during transient entrainment. Journal of the American College of Cardiology, 15, 833–841.PubMedCrossRef
9.
go back to reference Okishige, K., Kawabata, M., Umayahara, S., Yamashiro, K., Gotoh, M., Isobe, M., et al. (2003). Radiofrequency catheter ablation of various kinds of arrhythmias guided by virtual electrograms using a noncontact, computerized mapping system. Circulation Journal, 67, 455–460.PubMedCrossRef Okishige, K., Kawabata, M., Umayahara, S., Yamashiro, K., Gotoh, M., Isobe, M., et al. (2003). Radiofrequency catheter ablation of various kinds of arrhythmias guided by virtual electrograms using a noncontact, computerized mapping system. Circulation Journal, 67, 455–460.PubMedCrossRef
10.
go back to reference Tai, C. T., Liu, T. Y., Lee, P. C., Lin, Y. J., Chang, M. S., & Chen, S. A. (2004). Non-contact mapping to guide radiofrequency ablation of atypical right atrial flutter. Journal of the American College of Cardiology, 44, 1080–1086.PubMedCrossRef Tai, C. T., Liu, T. Y., Lee, P. C., Lin, Y. J., Chang, M. S., & Chen, S. A. (2004). Non-contact mapping to guide radiofrequency ablation of atypical right atrial flutter. Journal of the American College of Cardiology, 44, 1080–1086.PubMedCrossRef
11.
go back to reference Zheng, L., Yao, Y., Zhang, S., Chen, W., Zhang, K., Wang, F., et al. (2009). Organized left atrial tachyarrhythmia during stepwise linear ablation for atrial fibrillation. Journal of Cardiovascular Electrophysiology, 20, 499–506.PubMedCrossRef Zheng, L., Yao, Y., Zhang, S., Chen, W., Zhang, K., Wang, F., et al. (2009). Organized left atrial tachyarrhythmia during stepwise linear ablation for atrial fibrillation. Journal of Cardiovascular Electrophysiology, 20, 499–506.PubMedCrossRef
12.
go back to reference Spach, M. S., Miller, W. T., Geselowitz, D. B., Barr, R. C., Kootsey, J. M., & Johnson, E. A. (1981). The discontinuous nature of propagation in normal canine cardiac muscle. Circulation Research, 48, 39–54.PubMed Spach, M. S., Miller, W. T., Geselowitz, D. B., Barr, R. C., Kootsey, J. M., & Johnson, E. A. (1981). The discontinuous nature of propagation in normal canine cardiac muscle. Circulation Research, 48, 39–54.PubMed
13.
go back to reference Spach, M. S., Miller, W. T., Miller-Jones, E., Warren, R. B., & Barr, R. C. (1979). Extracellular potentials related to intracellular action potentials during impulse conduction in anisotropic canine cardiac muscle. Circulation Research, 45, 188–204.PubMed Spach, M. S., Miller, W. T., Miller-Jones, E., Warren, R. B., & Barr, R. C. (1979). Extracellular potentials related to intracellular action potentials during impulse conduction in anisotropic canine cardiac muscle. Circulation Research, 45, 188–204.PubMed
14.
go back to reference Villacastin, J., Almendral, J., Arenal, A., Castellano, N. P., Gonzalez, S., Ortiz, M., et al. (2000). Usefulness of unipolar electrograms to detect isthmus block after radiofrequency ablation of typical atrial flutter. Circulation, 102, 3080–3085.PubMed Villacastin, J., Almendral, J., Arenal, A., Castellano, N. P., Gonzalez, S., Ortiz, M., et al. (2000). Usefulness of unipolar electrograms to detect isthmus block after radiofrequency ablation of typical atrial flutter. Circulation, 102, 3080–3085.PubMed
15.
go back to reference Lin, Y. J., Tai, C. T., Huang, J. L., Liu, T. Y., Lee, P. C., Ting, C. T., et al. (2004). Characteristics of virtual unipolar electrograms for detecting isthmus block during radiofrequency ablation of typical atrial flutter. Journal of the American College of Cardiology, 43, 2300–2304.PubMedCrossRef Lin, Y. J., Tai, C. T., Huang, J. L., Liu, T. Y., Lee, P. C., Ting, C. T., et al. (2004). Characteristics of virtual unipolar electrograms for detecting isthmus block during radiofrequency ablation of typical atrial flutter. Journal of the American College of Cardiology, 43, 2300–2304.PubMedCrossRef
16.
go back to reference Sanchez-Quintana, D., Anderson, R. H., Cabrera, J. A., Climent, V., Martin, R., Farre, J., et al. (2002). The terminal crest: Morphological features relevant to electrophysiology. Heart, 88, 406–411.PubMedCrossRef Sanchez-Quintana, D., Anderson, R. H., Cabrera, J. A., Climent, V., Martin, R., Farre, J., et al. (2002). The terminal crest: Morphological features relevant to electrophysiology. Heart, 88, 406–411.PubMedCrossRef
17.
go back to reference Schalij, M. J., Boersma, L., Huijberts, M., & Allessie, M. A. (2000). Anisotropic reentry in a perfused 2-dimensional layer of rabbit ventricular myocardium. Circulation, 102, 2650–2658.PubMed Schalij, M. J., Boersma, L., Huijberts, M., & Allessie, M. A. (2000). Anisotropic reentry in a perfused 2-dimensional layer of rabbit ventricular myocardium. Circulation, 102, 2650–2658.PubMed
18.
go back to reference Dixit, S., Lavi, N., Robinson, M., Riley, M. P., Callans, D. J., Marchlinski, F. E., et al. (2011). Noncontact electroanatomic mapping to characterize typical atrial flutter: Participation of right atrial posterior wall in the reentrant circuit. Journal of Cardiovascular Electrophysiology (in press) Dixit, S., Lavi, N., Robinson, M., Riley, M. P., Callans, D. J., Marchlinski, F. E., et al. (2011). Noncontact electroanatomic mapping to characterize typical atrial flutter: Participation of right atrial posterior wall in the reentrant circuit. Journal of Cardiovascular Electrophysiology (in press)
19.
go back to reference Tai, C. T., Huang, J. L., Lee, P. C., Ding, Y. A., Chang, M. S., & Chen, S. A. (2004). High-resolution mapping around the crista terminalis during typical atrial flutter: New insights into mechanisms. Journal of Cardiovascular Electrophysiology, 15, 406–414.PubMedCrossRef Tai, C. T., Huang, J. L., Lee, P. C., Ding, Y. A., Chang, M. S., & Chen, S. A. (2004). High-resolution mapping around the crista terminalis during typical atrial flutter: New insights into mechanisms. Journal of Cardiovascular Electrophysiology, 15, 406–414.PubMedCrossRef
20.
go back to reference Tai, C. T., Ong, M. G., & Chen, S. A. (2008). Electrophysiologic characteristics of the sinus venosa in patients with typical atrial flutter. Pacing and Clinical Electrophysiology, 31, 99–102.PubMedCrossRef Tai, C. T., Ong, M. G., & Chen, S. A. (2008). Electrophysiologic characteristics of the sinus venosa in patients with typical atrial flutter. Pacing and Clinical Electrophysiology, 31, 99–102.PubMedCrossRef
21.
go back to reference Okumura, Y., Watanabe, I., Nakai, T., Ohkubo, K., Kofune, T., Ashino, S., et al. (2010). Upper turnaround point of the reentry circuit of common atrial flutter—Three-dimensional mapping and entrainment study. Journal of Interventional Cardiac Electrophysiology, 29, 147–156.PubMedCrossRef Okumura, Y., Watanabe, I., Nakai, T., Ohkubo, K., Kofune, T., Ashino, S., et al. (2010). Upper turnaround point of the reentry circuit of common atrial flutter—Three-dimensional mapping and entrainment study. Journal of Interventional Cardiac Electrophysiology, 29, 147–156.PubMedCrossRef
22.
go back to reference Kadish, A., Hauck, J., Pederson, B., Beatty, G., & Gornick, C. (1999). Mapping of atrial activation with a noncontact, multielectrode catheter in dogs. Circulation, 99, 1906–1913.PubMed Kadish, A., Hauck, J., Pederson, B., Beatty, G., & Gornick, C. (1999). Mapping of atrial activation with a noncontact, multielectrode catheter in dogs. Circulation, 99, 1906–1913.PubMed
Metadata
Title
Utility of virtual unipolar electrogram morphologies to detect transverse conduction block and turnaround points of typical atrial flutter
Authors
Mitsuru Takami
Akihiro Yoshida
Koji Fukuzawa
Asumi Takei
Gaku Kanda
Kaoru Takami
Hiroyuki Kumagai
Satoko Tanaka
Mitsuaki Itoh
Kimitake Imamura
Ryudo Fujiwara
Atsushi Suzuki
Ken-ichi Hirata
Publication date
01-11-2011
Publisher
Springer US
Published in
Journal of Interventional Cardiac Electrophysiology / Issue 2/2011
Print ISSN: 1383-875X
Electronic ISSN: 1572-8595
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10840-011-9571-3

Other articles of this Issue 2/2011

Journal of Interventional Cardiac Electrophysiology 2/2011 Go to the issue