Automatic identification and analysis of activation wavefronts in a 2-D electrogram array

Cardiac activation sequences are normally determined by the detection and timing of local activations in cardiac electrograms, but assigning of a unique activation time, especially during ventricular fibrillation (VF), is often difficult. Even if distinct activations can be derived, it is difficult to group activations into wavefronts. A method was developed for automating the identification and analysis of distinct wavefronts of electrical activity that eliminates the inconsistencies of manual analysis and the ambiguities of isochronal mapping. After individual wavefronts have been identified, analysis of their characteristics became a simple task that was also automated. This automated method shows promise as an accurate and powerful tool for quantitative analysis of VF. >