3.3 AF rotors and the tissue properties in patients with AF recurrence
AF recurrence was observed in 5 (33%) of 15 patients. In the patients with AF recurrence, NPAs were found in 20 (33%) of 61 segments. The highest %NP value, LGE-entropy, and LGE-volume ratio at the NPAs did not differ between the patients with and without AF recurrence (highest %NP value: 68.0±13.3 vs. 69.0±9.2, p = 0.167; LGE-entropy: 6.0±0.36 vs. 6.0±0.47, p = 0.287; LGE-volume ratio: 12.2±9.6 vs. 19.0±12.1, p = 0.171).
Of the 5 patients with AF recurrences, 2 had a relatively low highest %NP value (51% and 57%). As for the tissue properties of the 2 NPAs, they had a relatively low LGE-entropy and LGE-volume ratio (LGE-entropy: 5.8 and 5.5; LGE-volume ratio:8.1 and 3.2; respectively).
The remaining 3 patients had the high highest %NP value (81%, 71% and 67%), however, a direct RF application was not performed at the NPA, because they were included within the PVI or Box lesion line.