Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common arrhythmia associated with a relevant risk of stroke, heart failure, and mortality. The mechanisms of AF are still not completely understood; however, in recent years, significant progress has been made regarding predisposition and risk factors, electrical and structural remodelling, and electrophysiological mechanisms of AF. Two main mechanisms are widely recognized: factors triggering AF and factors that maintain AF. These mechanisms have influenced mapping and ablation strategies. Although pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) is generally sufficient for paroxysmal AF, strategies for catheter ablation of persistent and long-standing persistent AF are still debated.
This Research Topic will focus on the different and complex mechanisms underlying paroxysmal and persistent AF. AF results from interactions between triggers and the substrate responsible for its maintenance. However, despite extensive research, these mechanisms remain not entirely understood. The lack of consensus regarding the mechanisms underlying AF determines that there is no univocal consensus on the ablation strategy to be adopted. Consensus statements recommended PVI as the cornerstone of any AF ablation procedures, irrespective of the AF type. In addition, substrate modification should be considered on top of PVI in the ablation of persistent and long-standing persistent AF. This Research Topic will address the current state of the art mapping, technologies, and strategies for paroxysmal and persistent AF ablation.
Led by an expert team of specialists, the Research Topic will accept manuscripts within this area of research, with the aim of giving the reader an overview of the latest discoveries and new findings, analysis of previously published data, new opinions and perspectives, and methods and protocols (when relevant). For that reason, all article types accepted by Frontiers are encouraged.
Sub-themes for this Research Topic may include, but are not limited to:
1) Reviews on the mechanisms underlying AF.
2) Mapping technologies such as non-contact mapping, omnipolar mapping, high-density mapping, etc.
3) New ablation technologies such as HPSD, newer cryoballoons, ultralow cryo, PFA, etc.
4) Meta-analysis on non-PV triggers such as PW, LAA, RA.
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common arrhythmia associated with a relevant risk of stroke, heart failure, and mortality. The mechanisms of AF are still not completely understood; however, in recent years, significant progress has been made regarding predisposition and risk factors, electrical and structural remodelling, and electrophysiological mechanisms of AF. Two main mechanisms are widely recognized: factors triggering AF and factors that maintain AF. These mechanisms have influenced mapping and ablation strategies. Although pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) is generally sufficient for paroxysmal AF, strategies for catheter ablation of persistent and long-standing persistent AF are still debated.
This Research Topic will focus on the different and complex mechanisms underlying paroxysmal and persistent AF. AF results from interactions between triggers and the substrate responsible for its maintenance. However, despite extensive research, these mechanisms remain not entirely understood. The lack of consensus regarding the mechanisms underlying AF determines that there is no univocal consensus on the ablation strategy to be adopted. Consensus statements recommended PVI as the cornerstone of any AF ablation procedures, irrespective of the AF type. In addition, substrate modification should be considered on top of PVI in the ablation of persistent and long-standing persistent AF. This Research Topic will address the current state of the art mapping, technologies, and strategies for paroxysmal and persistent AF ablation.
Led by an expert team of specialists, the Research Topic will accept manuscripts within this area of research, with the aim of giving the reader an overview of the latest discoveries and new findings, analysis of previously published data, new opinions and perspectives, and methods and protocols (when relevant). For that reason, all article types accepted by Frontiers are encouraged.
Sub-themes for this Research Topic may include, but are not limited to:
1) Reviews on the mechanisms underlying AF.
2) Mapping technologies such as non-contact mapping, omnipolar mapping, high-density mapping, etc.
3) New ablation technologies such as HPSD, newer cryoballoons, ultralow cryo, PFA, etc.
4) Meta-analysis on non-PV triggers such as PW, LAA, RA.
