INFORMATION MAPPING SYSTEM AS AN INSTRUMENTAL BASIS OF THE PROTECTED CYBERSPACE MAPPING

В работе предлагается новый класс программного обеспечения -информационно-картографические системы, предназначенные для построения и анализа информационных карт. Рассмотрены возможные архитектуры таких систем, отличающиеся организацией подсистем сбора, хранения, анализа и представления исходных данных. The paper proposes a new class of software - information mapping systems designed for the construction and analysis of information maps. The possible architectures of such systems, differing by the organization of subsystems of collection, storage, analysis and presentation of the initial data are considered.

Feasibility of remote technical support for electrophysiological ablation procedures during the current CoVid-19 pandemic

The treatment of heart rhythm disorders has been significantly impacted by direct consequences of the current CoVid-19 pandemic, as well as by restrictions aimed towards constraining viral spread. Usually, catheter ablations of cardiac arrhythmias are guided by electro-anatomic mapping systems. Technical staff with medical training, or medical staff with technical training, is needed to assist the operator. Travel restrictions due to the current COVID-19 pandemic have limited the in-person availability of technical support staff. To overcome these limitations, we explored the feasibility of a trans-atlantic remote technical support for electro-anatomic mapping, with an internet based communication platform, for complex electrophysiological ablation procedures. Our first experience, based on nine ablation procedures of different arrythmias, highlights the feasibility of this approach. Remote support for electro-anatomic mapping might therefore facilitate continuous care for patients with arrhythmias during the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly in insular settings. Beyond COVID-19 related challenges, this approach will likely play a greater role in the cardiology field in years to come, due to its significant advantages.

Performance of Different SLAM Algorithms for Indoor and Outdoor Mapping Applications

Indoor and outdoor mapping studies can be completed relatively quickly, depending on the developments in Mobile Mapping Systems. Especially in indoor environments where high accuracy GNSS positions cannot be used, mapping studies can be carried out with SLAM algorithms. Although there are many different SLAM algorithms in the literature, each can produce results with different accuracy according to the mapped environment. In this study, 3D maps were produced with LOAM, A-LOAM, and HDL Graph SLAM algorithms in different environments such as long corridors, staircases, and outdoor environments, and the accuracies of the maps produced with different algorithms were compared. For this purpose, a mobile mapping platform using Velodyne VLP-16 LIDAR sensor was developed, and the odometer drift, which causes loss of accuracy in the data collected, was minimized by loop closure and plane detection methods. As a result of the tests, it was determined that the results of the LOAM algorithm were not as accurate as those of the A-LOAM and HDL Graph SLAM algorithms. Both indoor and outdoor environments and the A-LOAM results’ accuracy were two times better than HDL Graph SLAM results.

35 Electrophysiology and electrostimulation: experience

In the last 50 years, cardiac electrophysiology has undergone rapid technological development which has led to a numerical increase in both patients who have been able to benefit from the therapies of rediscovery and rhythm control, and of the devices. The activity of an electrophysiology and electrostimulation room is based on the intensive use of ionizing radiation even if electrophysiology studies, ablation, and cryoablation techniques have benefited from the support of computerized electroanatomical mapping systems with consequent dose reduction. Over the years, the instruments to be managed inside the room have increased both in complexity and numerically. Starting from the biventricular PM, we go through the implantation of subcutaneous defibrillators up to the transseptal ablations. Patient management requires additional skills that each member of the team must possess. Continuous training and updates are of fundamental importance. The purpose of this work is our experience based on the activity now more 10 years.

Identifying Atrial Fibrillation Mechanisms for Personalized Medicine

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a major cause of heart failure and stroke. The early maintenance of sinus rhythm has been shown to reduce major cardiovascular endpoints, yet is difficult to achieve. For instance, it is unclear how discoveries at the genetic and cellular level can be used to tailor pharmacotherapy. For non-pharmacologic therapy, pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) remains the cornerstone of rhythm control, yet has suboptimal success. Improving these therapies will likely require a multifaceted approach that personalizes therapy based on mechanisms measured in individuals across biological scales. We review AF mechanisms from cell-to-organ-to-patient from this perspective of personalized medicine, linking them to potential clinical indices and biomarkers, and discuss how these data could influence therapy. We conclude by describing approaches to improve ablation, including the emergence of several mapping systems that are in use today.

Atrial chamber colocalization for multiple 3D imaging techniques in atrial fibrillation

Introduction There exist many imaging techniques and systems to reproduce atrial chambers in 3D. These technologies include electroanatomical (EA) mapping systems, noninvasive electrocardiographic imaging (ECGI), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), or computed tomography (CT) scans. In the case of atrial fibrillation (AF), the most employed non-pharmacological treatment is catheter ablation to electrically isolate the pulmonary veins from the rest of the left atrium. Driver mechanisms such as focal or rotational activity have been proposed as possible initiating and maintaining mechanisms of AF. However, correspondence and validation of these sites when several systems are employed in the same patient remains a challenge, as they are mostly manually aligned based on visual inspection. Purpose To develop an automatic 3D alignment algorithm for cardiac 3D meshes to colocalize points between atrial maps generated with multiple EA mapping systems, ECGI, MRI, or CT scans. Methods A total of 25 left atrial meshes from persistent AF patients were exported from an EA mapping system. The total number of vertices for all the meshes was 2545444 points (101817.8±13593.3 points per map). A reference mesh was employed with minor modifications [1]. All meshes were manually segmented into 12 different left atrial regions, see Table for the region names. The method implements a non-rigid variant of the iterative closest point algorithm to transform the atrial mesh onto the reference one, see Figure. The geographical distance between the mean position of the 12 different segmented reference areas and the 12 transformed points was employed as the performance metric. Results The global error for all the fiducial points in all left atrial meshes was 11.57±2.55 mm. The average local errors for the 12 atrial areas are summarized in the Table. The best three aligned areas were the RSPV, atrial septum, and lateral wall. The areas with less alignment accuracy were the LAA, LSPV, and atrial roof. Conclusions The algorithm provides a promising solution to evaluate and validate site-related results from different systems, e.g., rotational activity presence between EA mapping and ECGI systems. The method works automatically for any given chamber anatomy or any number of points. No prior segmentation is needed since the transformation and co-localization are applied to the raw chamber mesh. Further analysis with a larger mesh database is needed. FUNDunding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: Public grant(s) – National budget only. Main funding source(s): Instituto de Salud Carlos III and Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovaciόn y Universidades