High-resolution mapping makes it possible to reconstruct and display t
he conduction pattern of the action potential as it propagates through
cardiac or smooth muscles. During slow and regular activity, time map
ping of the spread of activation is relatively simple and straightforw
ard. However, when frequencies are high or conduction is slow, such as
seen during atrial fibrillation or found in the pregnant uterus, the
tracking of individual waves may become more difficult and uncertain.
In order to reconstruct the pathway of a single wave, a search and sor
ting routine was developed which makes it possible to distinguish, tra
ck and display individual wavelets. The algorithm is able to detect va
riations in conduction block, spontaneous shifts in the location of th
e pacemaker and changes in the direction of conduction. It is less sen
sitive when two or more wavefronts intermingle in space and time, such
as during collision or fusion. Wave mapping is especially useful, in
addition to current time mapping, in sorting quickly through the large
amount of data produced by high-resolution mapping of electrical acti
vities in cardiac and smooth muscle.