Advancements in AI-Driven Real-Time Support for Catheter Ablation Procedures

A groundbreaking development in cardiac electrophysiology involves the use of an artificial intelligence (AI) model that offers real-time decision support to enhance the safety and effectiveness of catheter ablation procedures for atrial fibrillation (AF). Presented at the recent Heart Rhythm Society annual meeting in San Diego, this innovation leverages deep learning and sophisticated analysis techniques to improve treatment outcomes.

Developed by Dr. Chih-Min Liu and colleagues at Taipei Veterans General Hospital, the DeePRISM model was created using retrospective data from 110 patients suffering from persistent AF. The model employs deep learning algorithms alongside PRISM (Morphological Repetitiveness by Periodicity and Similarity) analysis to interpret intracardiac electrograms and accurately predict the optimal sites for ablation to terminate AF episodes. To ensure its reliability, the model was further validated prospectively with a separate group of 37 patients.

Results demonstrated that DeePRISM achieved an impressive area under the curve (AUC) of 0.87, indicating high predictive accuracy, with sensitivity at 74.3% and a remarkable specificity of 95.4%. About 40.5% of patients undergoing DeePRISM-guided ablation experienced immediate AF termination. During an average follow-up period of about 27 months, patients treated with this AI-guided approach showed significantly better arrhythmia-free survival rates — 70.3% compared to 35.1% in control groups. Importantly, the procedure was associated with a reduced risk of AF recurrence, with a hazard ratio of 0.10, and no adverse periprocedural events were reported.

Dr. Liu highlighted the significance of the technology, stating, "The DeePRISM model marks a major advance in AF treatment by providing real-time analysis that not only boosts procedural success but also enhances patient safety. This represents a notable step forward in electrophysiology." The integration of AI into real-time cardiac procedures holds promising prospects for improving patient outcomes and safety standards.

For further details, refer to the associated press release and additional resources available online.