Digital illustration of a heart with clear and noisy electrical signals, symbolizing the challenges of AFib mapping.

AFib Mapping: Can We Trust the Signals?

Samir D’Costa in Health & Wellness December 2025 • 4 min read.

"New research explores how signal quality and contamination affect the accuracy of heart mapping for atrial fibrillation."

Atrial fibrillation (AFib), characterized by an irregular and often rapid heart rate, is a widespread heart condition affecting millions globally. While not immediately life-threatening, AFib can significantly increase the risk of stroke, heart failure, and other cardiovascular complications. Effective management of AFib often relies on accurately mapping the heart's electrical activity to identify the sources of the arrhythmia, which can then be targeted with treatments like ablation.

Mapping the heart's electrical signals during AFib is a complex task. The heart's signals can be obscured by various sources of contamination, such as poor electrode contact, interference from other electrical devices, and even signals originating from distant areas of the heart. These inaccuracies can lead to incomplete or misleading maps, potentially reducing the effectiveness of treatments.

Researchers are actively developing new methods to assess and improve the quality of electrical signal mapping in AFib. A recent study published in Frontiers in Physiology introduces a novel approach to measure signal fidelity and evaluate the impact of signal contamination on the accuracy of AFib mapping. This article delves into the study's methods, findings, and potential implications for improving AFib treatment.

Decoding Signal Fidelity: What Does it Mean?

Digital illustration of a heart with clear and noisy electrical signals, symbolizing the challenges of AFib mapping.

The study's central aim was to develop a reliable measure of signal fidelity, indicating the trustworthiness of electrical signals recorded during AFib. The researchers hypothesized that high-fidelity signals, characterized by clear and distinct deflections, would provide a more accurate representation of the heart's electrical activity. Conversely, low-fidelity signals, with ambiguous or noisy deflections, might lead to mapping errors.

To quantify signal fidelity, the researchers developed a novel metric based on the phase of the electrical signal. This metric assesses the consistency and clarity of deflections in the signal, assigning higher scores to signals with well-defined deflections and lower scores to those with more ambiguous patterns. This measure allows doctors to identify regions where the heart's electrical activity is clearly defined, and where it might be distorted by noise or interference.

High Fidelity: Clear, distinct deflections in the electrical signal.
Low Fidelity: Ambiguous or noisy deflections, potentially obscuring the true electrical activity.
Fidelity Score: A quantitative measure assessing the clarity and consistency of signal deflections.

The signal fidelity measure was used to analyze electrical recordings from patients with persistent AFib. The analysis revealed that regions of low signal fidelity often corresponded to the location of rotational cores, which are areas of the heart where electrical signals circulate and sustain the arrhythmia. This suggests that the complex electrical activity within these cores might lead to signal distortion, making accurate mapping more challenging.

The Future of AFib Mapping

This research highlights the importance of signal quality in AFib mapping and provides a valuable tool for assessing the reliability of electrical signals. By identifying and mitigating the effects of signal contamination, clinicians can create more accurate heart maps, potentially improving the success of AFib treatments like ablation. Further studies are needed to validate these findings and explore the optimal strategies for incorporating signal fidelity measures into clinical practice.

About this Article -

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Everything You Need To Know

What is atrial fibrillation (AFib), and why is it a concern?

Atrial fibrillation, or AFib, is a common heart condition characterized by an irregular and often rapid heart rate. This occurs because the electrical signals that control the heart's rhythm become disorganized. While AFib isn't immediately life-threatening, it can lead to serious complications such as stroke, heart failure, and other cardiovascular issues. Managing AFib often involves mapping the heart's electrical activity to pinpoint the source of the irregular signals, which can then be treated, often with a procedure called ablation.

Why is it challenging to accurately map the heart's electrical signals during AFib?

Mapping the heart's electrical activity during AFib is a complicated process because the signals can be affected by several factors. Poor electrode contact, interference from other electrical devices, and even electrical signals coming from distant areas of the heart can obscure the true signals. These contaminations can lead to inaccurate maps, which can reduce the effectiveness of treatments like ablation. Therefore, ensuring the accuracy of these maps is critical for successful AFib treatment.

What does 'signal fidelity' mean in the context of AFib mapping?

Signal fidelity refers to the trustworthiness of the electrical signals recorded during AFib mapping. High fidelity signals are clear and have distinct deflections, providing a more accurate representation of the heart's electrical activity. Low fidelity signals are ambiguous or noisy, potentially leading to mapping errors. A fidelity score is a quantitative measure used to assess the clarity and consistency of these signal deflections.

How does the fidelity score work in AFib mapping?

The fidelity score is a novel metric based on the phase of the electrical signal. It assesses the consistency and clarity of deflections, assigning higher scores to signals with well-defined deflections and lower scores to those with more ambiguous patterns. This metric helps doctors identify regions where the heart's electrical activity is clearly defined and where it might be distorted by noise or interference. It is used to analyze electrical recordings from patients with persistent AFib.

How does addressing signal quality impact the treatment of AFib?

Identifying and mitigating signal contamination helps create more accurate heart maps, improving the success of AFib treatments like ablation. Research has shown that regions of low signal fidelity often correspond to rotational cores, where electrical signals circulate and sustain the arrhythmia. By focusing on improving signal quality, clinicians can better target these problematic areas during treatment. Further studies are needed to validate these findings and determine the best ways to use signal fidelity measures in clinical practice.