Jiaqi Wang

and 2 more

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most prevalent form of arrhythmia, contributing significantly to cardiac morbidity and mortality[1]. Its clinical manifestations vary among individuals, encompassing palpitations, dizziness, syncope, fatigue, dyspnea, and chest pain, while some patients, particularly in early or intermittent stages, may remain asymptomatic. The management of AF primarily involves pharmacological[2] and non-pharmacological[3] strategies. Pharmacological treatments focus on restoring and maintaining normal sinus rhythm through antiarrhythmic drugs, alongside anticoagulant therapy to mitigate the risk of thromboembolism and stroke. However, in cases where pharmacological approaches prove inadequate, non-pharmacological interventions become necessary. These include electrical cardioversion, which employs controlled electric shocks to re-establish sinus rhythm, and catheter ablation, a procedure that targets aberrant electrical activity within the heart. The choice of treatment is dictated by factors such as AF type, duration, symptom severity, and overall patient health. Among non-pharmacological options, catheter ablation has emerged as a particularly effective approach, especially for patients refractory to drug therapy[4]. This technique involves delivering radiofrequency or cryothermal energy through a catheter to specific myocardial regions, thereby disrupting or isolating the abnormal electrical pathways responsible for AF. The success of catheter ablation relies on precise localization of arrhythmogenic foci, necessitating the use of advanced imaging modalities. Commonly employed techniques include X-ray fluoroscopy[5], transesophageal echocardiography (TEE)[6], and intracardiac echocardiography (ICE)[7], each offering distinct advantages in guiding catheter placement and ensuring procedural efficacy.