Dynamics of propagation patterns and anti-arrhythmic mechanisms during atrial fibrillation

Atrial fibrillation leads to a rapid and irregular heartbeat. It is an extremely dynamic process involving many electrical waves. Wave patterns can be identified to help direct catheter treatments for atrial fibrillation. An accurate interpretation requires the use of many electrodes and a sufficiently long hospital admission.
Vernakalant is the most recent medicine used to treat atrial fibrillation. While Vernakalant proved to be highly effective in treating this arrhythmia, we found the action mechanism to be different than previously thought. Vernakalant slows down electrical activation, which is associated with life-threatening arrhythmias. Careful patient selection is therefore imperative.