An objective tool for quantifying atrial fibrillation substrate in rats

Abstract

Rodents are increasingly used in AF research. However, because of technical difficulties including atrial waveform mixing by ventricular signals, most studies do not discriminate between irregular (i.e., AF) and regular atrial arrhythmias. Here, we develop an unbiased computerized tool to “pure” the atrial signals from ventricular mixing and thereafter analyze AF substrate based on the level of irregularity in an objective manner. This novel tool can facilitate standardized AF research in rodents.