System identification applied to spatial and temporal propagation of atrial activity during atrial fibrillation

The purpose of the paper is to apply system identification methods to study spatial and temporal propagation of atrial activation along coronary sinus (situated in the posterior left part of the heart, in the groove between left atrium and left ventricle) during paroxysmal atrial fibrillation using data recorded from 7 different patients. Furthermore, interatrial mechanisms of impulse conduction can be derived due to the position of coronary sinus. This study demonstrated consistency in electrical activity propagation during atrial fibrillation along coronary sinus in five patients out of six included. Nevertheless, results on direction and speed of propagation depended on the patient. For reference purposes, the method was tried out during sinus rhythm obtaining the expected high consistency in propagation direction and speed.