Benefits of the 3D Mapping System in EP

Abstract

Compared with traditional mapping system, 3D electroanatomical mapping system has many advantages, especially in complex arrhythmias, such as atrial tachycardia/fibrillation and scar-related ventricular tachycardia (VT). Firstly, with 3D cardiac chamber anatomy rendered by point-to-point acquisition of spatial coordinates with mapping catheter, electrophysiological information could be acquired by fluoroscopy-free catheter navigation. Secondly, activation map built with 3D mapping system could display local activation time for a cardiac chamber in relation (earlier or later) to timing of a reference electrogram, it is helpful to determine tachycardia mechanism as focal or macroreentrant and identifies ablation target sites. Thirdly, the location tagging function of 3D mapping system could mark catheter in virtual space, designate location critical structures, catalogue ablation sites and allow return to sites of interest. Fourthly, the voltage map built by 3D mapping can display electrogram amplitude throughout cardiac chamber and guide substrate-based ablation. Fifthly, isochronal map of 3D system depicts all points with an activation time within a certain range with the same color, which can assist in visualizing direction wavefront propagation and indicates local conduction velocities. For example, the initial activation area of NCAS-AT is relatively wider than parahis atrial tachycardia. Finally, image merge function of 3D mapping system could provide detailed anatomical information (like LA pouch) and facilitates extensive ablation about anatomic structures (pulmonary veins, left atrium, ventricular scar).