Standardised Framework for Quantitative Analysis of Fibrillation Dynamics

Abstract

The analysis of complex mechanisms underlying ventricular fibrillation (VF) and atrial fibrillation (AF) requires sophisticated tools for studying spatio-temporal action potential (AP) propagation dynamics. However, fibrillation analysis tools are often custom-made or proprietary, and vary between research groups. With no optimal standardised framework for analysis, results from different studies have led to disparate findings. Given the technical gap, here we present a comprehensive framework and set of principles for quantifying properties of wavefront dynamics in phase-processed data recorded during myocardial fibrillation with potentiometric dyes. Phase transformation of the fibrillatory data is particularly useful for identifying self-perpetuating spiral waves or rotational drivers (RDs) rotating around a phase singularity (PS). RDs have been implicated in sustaining fibrillation, and thus accurate localisation and quantification of RDs is crucial for understanding specific fibrillatory mechanisms. In this work, we assess how variation of analysis parameters and thresholds in the tracking of PSs and quantification of RDs could result in different interpretations of the underlying fibrillation mechanism. These techniques have been described and applied to experimental AF and VF data, and AF simulations, and examples are provided from each of these data sets to demonstrate the range of fibrillatory behaviours and adaptability of these tools. The presented methodologies are available as an open source software and offer an off-the-shelf research toolkit for quantifying and analysing fibrillatory mechanisms.