Automated analysis of complex fractionated electrograms

1. A method for mapping abnormal electrical activity, comprising:

obtaining electrical signal data from respective locations in a heart of a living subject;

automatically analyzing the signal data to identify complex fractionated electrograms (CFEs) therein;

analyzing the CFEs so as to identify reentry locations comprised in the respective locations;

establishing predefined minimum and maximum voltages V th and a predefined duration threshold T th ;

assigning a window of interest (WOI) to a given CFE, and identifying qualifying deflections within the WOI, the qualifying deflections comprising peaks lying between predefined minimum and maximum voltages V th and evaluating a number of the qualifying deflections (NODs);

adjusting for noise by verifying that the NODs lie within both the predefined minimum and maximum voltages V th and the predefined duration threshold T th and adjusting the NODs to account for noise when both the predefined minimum and maximum voltages V th and the predefined duration threshold T th conditions are not met; and

displaying information derived from the identification in relation to a map of the heart.

2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the CFEs comprise complex fractionated atrial electrograms (CFAEs).

3. The method according to claim 1 , and comprising:

identifying a first qualifying deflection and a last qualifying deflection;

measuring a total fractionation time (TFT) period between the first and the last qualifying deflections; and

verifying that the TFT period lies within a predefined range of periods of time.

4. Apparatus for mapping abnormal electrical activity, comprising:

a probe which is configured to receive electrical signal data from respective locations in a heart of a living subject; and

a processor which is configured:

to automatically analyze the signal data to identify complex fractionated electrograms (CFEs) therein,

to analyze the CFEs so as to identify reentry locations comprised in the respective locations by: (i) establishing predefined minimum and maximum voltages V th and a predefined duration threshold T th ; (ii) assigning a window of interest (WOI) to a given CFE, and identifying qualifying deflections within the WOI, the qualifying deflections comprising peaks lying between predefined minimum and maximum voltages V th and evaluating a number of the qualifying deflections (NODs); (iii) adjusting for noise by verifying that the NODs lie within both the predefined minimum and maximum voltages V th and the predefined duration threshold T th and adjusting the NODs to account for noise when both the predefined minimum and maximum voltages V th and the predefined duration threshold T th conditions are not met, and

to display information derived from the identification in relation to a map of the heart.

5. The apparatus according to claim 4 , wherein the CFEs comprise complex fractionated atrial electrograms (CFAEs).

6. The apparatus according to claim 4 , wherein the processor is further configured:

to identify a first qualifying deflection and a last qualifying deflection,

to measure a total fractionation time (TFT) period between the first and the last qualifying deflections, and

to verify that the TFT period lies within a predefined range of periods of time.

7. A computer software product for mapping electrical activity, including a tangible non-transitory computer-readable medium in which computer program instructions are stored, which instructions, when read by a computer, cause the computer to:

receive electrical signal data from respective locations in a heart of a living subject;

automatically analyze the signal data to identify complex fractionated electrograms (CFEs) therein;

analyze the CFEs so as to identify reentry locations comprised in the respective locations by: (i) establishing predefined minimum and maximum voltages V th and a predefined duration threshold T th ; (ii) assigning a window of interest (WOI) to a given CFE, and identifying qualifying deflections within the WOI, the qualifying deflections comprising peaks lying between predefined minimum and maximum voltages V th and evaluating a number of the qualifying deflections (NODs); (iii) adjusting for noise by verifying that the NODs lie within both the predefined minimum and maximum voltages V th and the predefined duration threshold T th and adjusting the NODs to account for noise when both the predefined minimum and maximum voltages V th and the predefined duration threshold T th conditions are not met; and

display information derived from the identification in relation to a map of the heart.

8. The product according to claim 7 , wherein the CFEs comprise complex fractionated atrial electrograms (CFAEs).

9. The product according to claim 7 , and comprising:

causing the computer to:

identify a first qualifying deflection and a last qualifying deflection;

measure a total fractionation time (TFT) period between the first and the last qualifying deflections; and

verify that the TFT period lies within a predefined range of periods of time.