Computer implemented method and system for aiding mapping heart rhythm abnormalities

Abstract

A computer implemented method and system are described that identify one or more regions of the heart responsible for supporting or initiating abnormal heart rhythms. Electrogram data is used that has been recorded from a plurality of electrodes on multipolar cardiac catheters obtained from a corresponding series of sensing locations on the heart over a recording time period. The method includes the steps of: identifying, from the electrograms, regions within a chamber of the heart which have electrical activation sequences which characterize them as potential drivers of abnormal heart rhythms, for each sensing location at or substantially about said region, determining from predominant activations, an earliest activating electrode site; for each determined earliest activating electrode site: calculating a value for each of a plurality of modifiers associated with the electrode site, the modifiers being determined from the electrogram data for the site, tissue characteristics of the site or anatomical characteristics of the site; determining a ranking factor calculated from the plurality of modifiers; ranking the each of said earliest activating electrode sites in dependence on its ranking factor; and, outputting data identifying said regions, the data varying prominence of each of the determined earliest activating electrode sites in dependence on said ranking.