Non-invasive Characterization of the Mechanisms of Atrial Fibrillation Maintenance

Currently available antiarrhythmic drugs for the treatment of atrial fibrillation (AF) have a limited efficacy and often cause long-term side effects. Pulmonary vein isolation is the therapy of choice in drug-refractory patients. Recent studies have shown that ablation have a greater efficacy in patients in whom AF is maintained hierarchically and after ablation of rotors. The non-invasive identification of specific mechanism of AF maintenance in each patient could allow the selection of the most appropriate treatment.