Research Progress of Low-Voltage Areas Associated with Atrial Fibrillation

Abstract

Atrial fibrosis is an independent predictor of the recurrence of atrial fibrillation (AF) after catheter ablation. Low-voltage areas (LVA) measured during catheter ablation for AF are a commonly used surrogate for the presence of atrial fibrosis. LVA are associated with clinical outcomes and comorbidities and have links to triggering sites for AF. Several trials have shown promising data of targeting ablation in LVA, however the results have been mixed. This article will review the role of LVA in the prediction of adverse events in AF patients, including stroke, how to predict the presence of LVA, and the impact of LVA ablation on the recurrence of AF.

Keywords

• atrial fibrillation
• low-voltage areas
• catheter ablation
• atrial fibrosis