Teager energy based approach to detect atrial peaks to predict atrial fibrillation recurrence

Radiofrequency catheter ablation is currently used widely and successfully to treat atrial fibrillation (AF), whose success is limited in part by uncertainty in the mechanisms that sustain AF. AF intracardiac recordings were registered from the right atrium (RA) and left atrial (LA) in 41 patients immediately before AF ablation procedure. They were divided in 2 groups according to AF recurrence outcome 3 months after ablation procedure: 26 of them remained in sinus rhythm and the other 15 turned back to AF. There was no statistically significant difference between clinical parameters from recurrent and non-recurrent AF patients in both groups. Atrial peaks were detected from the envelope obtained by Teager Energy operator. Results showed differences between maximum of atrial fibrillation cycle length in the RA in both groups, with shorter atrial intervals in the group without recurrences in AF (p=0,03). Moreover, differences between both atria were found in AF non-recurrent patients, higher atrial intervals in the LA (p=0.04), nevertheless not statistical significant differences were found recurrent AF group. High frequency values, especially without a gradient between both atria, predict AF recurrence. It suggests that when the atrial electrical activity is more irregular and similar in both atria, the reversion to sinus rhythm is more difficult.