Evolution of frequency composition for Atrial arrhythmias

Abstract

In the United States of America, cardiac arrhythmias remain the leading cause of sudden death with more than 300,000 cases per year [1, 2]. The majority of sustained cardiac arrhythmias are atrial fibrillation and these contribute a major cause of stroke[3-6]. Irregular electrical pulses can be determined inside the atria. Frequency analysis is used to measure changes in the dominant frequency (DF). Welch method is used here to obtain the frequency spectrum of the signals. The 2D frequency strength plotting allows us to identify the evolution of the frequency composition of the signal with time. In physiological studies, we should see a general frequency increase during stimulation. That means the frequency at pre-stimulation should be lower than during stimulation and this should return to pre-stimulation state after simulation stops. The reason is that stimulation of the ganglia is supposed to promote atrial conduction in AF. The initiation and maintenance of AF is significantly enhanced by simultaneous parasympathetic stimulation In physiological studies, we should see a general frequency increase during stimulation. That means the frequency at pre-stimulation should be lower than during stimulation and this should return to pre-stimulation state after simulation stops. The reason is that stimulation of the ganglia is supposed to promote atrial conduction in AF. The initiation and maintenance of AF is significantly enhanced by simultaneous parasympathetic stimulation. © 2014 Penerbit UTM Press. All rights reserved.