A novel octaray multielectrode catheter for high-resolution atrial mapping: Electrogram characterization and utility for mapping ablation gaps.

INTRODUCTION: Multielectrode mapping catheters improve the ability to map within the heterogeneous scar. A novel Octaray catheter with eight spines and 48 electrodes may further improve the speed and resolution of atrial mapping. The aims of this study were to (1) establish the Octaray's baseline mapping performance and electrogram (EGM) characteristics in healthy atria and to (2) determine its utility for identifying gaps in a swine model of atrial ablation lines.

METHODS AND RESULTS: The right atria of eight healthy swine were mapped with Octaray and Pentaray catheters (Biosense Webster, Irvine, CA) before and after the creation of ablation lines with intentional gaps. Baseline mapping characteristics including EGM amplitude, duration, number of EGMs, and mapping time were compared. Postablation maps were created and EGM characteristics of continuous lines and gaps were correlated with pathology. Compared with Pentaray, the Octaray collected more EGMs per map (2178 ± 637 vs 1046 ± 238; P < 0.001) at a shorter mapping duration (3.2 ± 0.79 vs 6.9 ± 2.67 minutes; P < 0.001). In healthy atria, the Octaray recorded lower bipolar voltage amplitude (1.96 ± 1.83 mV vs 2.41 ± 1.92 mV; P < 0.001) while ablation gaps were characterized by higher voltage amplitude (1.24 ± 1.12 mV vs 1.04 ± 1.27 mV; P < 0.001). Ablation gaps were similarly identified by both catheters (P = 1.0). The frequency of "false gaps," defined as intact ablation lines with increased voltage amplitude was more common with Pentaray (6 vs 2) and resulted from erroneous annotation of far-field EGMs.

CONCLUSION: The Octaray increases the mapping speed and density compared with the Pentaray catheter. It is as sensitive for identifying ablation gaps and more specific for mapping intact ablation lines.