The equivalent dipole used to characterize atrial fibrillation

This study aims at developing a measure for describing the spatial complexity of atrial signals during atrial fibrillation (AF). A biophysical model of the atria and a volume conductor model of the thorax were used to simulate the atrial electrical activity as expressed on the torso. Features were extracted from the equivalent dipole (VCG) derived from body surface potentials. The robustness of these features is documented by comparing their values with those derived from a limited set of electrodes. In addition, the effect of a possibly incomplete cancellation of ventricular activity is shown.