An efficient way to study intracardiac signals during atrial fibrillation using standard ambulatory monitoring equipment

Analysis of intracardiac signals during atrial fibrillation (AF) presents major challenge. Using a Hewlett Packard instrumentation recorder, a specially-developed trigger device, standard ambulatory monitoring equipment (Marquette) and a custom-made computer program called CENSOR (Computerized ENumerative Scanning Of Rhythm-disturbances), an efficient method was developed to record and analyse intracardiac signals during AF. Using this configuration, we were able to study atrial activity and ventricular rhythms during baseline conditions and after infusion of metoprolol and atropine. Although the system was tested on male pigs, preliminary results suggest that this system is also applicable in combination with electrophysiological studies in man