Friday, March 13, 2026
We are happy to share that our paper “Strain detects substrate: Pioneering non-invasive visualization of atrial electropathology” has been accepted for publication in the International Journal of Cardiology.
Contact person
Prof. dr. Natasja de Groot
translationele.elektrofysiologie@erasmusmc.nl
Conduction abnormalities in the atria can develop long before clinical arrhythmias become apparent, yet identifying these changes typically requires invasive mapping procedures. In this study, researchers explored whether speckle tracking echocardiography (STE), a widely available, non-invasive imaging technique, can provide insight into these underlying atrial electropathology.
Strain and High-density epicardial mapping combined
By combining atrial strain measurements with intraoperative high-density epicardial mapping, the study shows that specific strain parameters, particularly the timing and slopes of atrial strain curves, are associated with conduction abnormalities.
These findings highlight the potential of strain imaging to non-invasively visualize atrial electropathology, bringing us a step closer to early detection of arrhythmogenic substrates and improving patient-tailored arrhythmia care.
Authors: Manouk H.C. Linderhof, MD, Anouk I. Freriks, MD, Elisa C.H. van Doorn, MD, Can Zhang, MD, Lixia Dai, MD, Hoang H. Nguyen, MD, Dat T. Nguyen, MD, Thomas D.A. Stindt, BSc, Yannick J.H.J. Taverne, MD, PhD, Mathijs S. van Schie, MD, PhD, Natasja M.S. de Groot, MD, PhD, Annemien E. van den Bosch, MD, PhD
