Recurrence quantification analysis as a tool for complex fractionated atrial electrogram discrimination

Atrial fibrillation is the most encountered pathology of the heart rate. The reasons of its occurrence and its particular characteristics remain unknown, resulting from complex phenomena interaction. From these interactions emerges Complex Fractionated Atrial Electrograms (CFAE) which are useful for the ablation procedure. This study presents a method based on nonlinear data analysis, the Recurrence Quantification Analysis (RQA) applied on intracardiac atrial electrograms to detect CFAE particularities. The results obtained on areas previously tagged by a cardilogist show a good sensitivity to CFAE. Combination of RQA features offers a larger discrimination potential for future automated detection.