ELECTROANATOMIC MAPPING OF THE SINUATRIAL ACTIVATION - FIRST EXPERIENCE WITH THE NEW CARTO(TM)-MAPPING SYSTEM

Prerequisite for successful radiofrequency catheter ablation of tachyc ardias is the exact mapping during the electrophysiologic study. The n ew mapping system CARTON allows a three-dimensional color-coded electr oanatomic map of impulse propagation using electromagnetic technology. Mapping of sinuatrial activation in the right atrium of 11 patients r epresents the first clinical experience with this new system. The phys iological activation sequence could be determined in all patients thre e-dimensionally and the sinus node could be localized as a physiologic al activation focus with interindividual variability only in the sagit al plane without complications. The nonfluoroscopic mapping system all ows high resolution visualization of electrical activity and may there fore improve precision and simplify the determination of the arrhythmo genic substrate during tachycardias for successful catheter ablation.