PhD defence Victor Gonçalves Marques

Keywords: Atrial fibrillation, Computer models, Ablation, Endocardial mapping

"Navigation Atrial Fibrillation: a modeling perspective into mapping and ablation"

This PhD thesis investigated atrial fibrillation (AF), the most common disturbance of heart rhythm, using detailed computer models of the upper chambers of the heart, the atria. AF is difficult to treat, and one of the main therapies — endocardial ablation, where small scars are created inside the heart to stop irregular rhythms — often fails to prevent the arrhythmia from returning. By simulating the heart’s electrical activity during AF, this research explored how computer models can help clinicians improve ablation outcomes. The models were used to better understand AF conduction patterns, identify the areas responsible for sustaining AF and to test new treatment strategies against current clinical approaches. The findings show that by refining how electrical signals are analyzed before ablation, clinicians can create more effective ablation scars, offering new and personalized ways to increase the long-term success of AF therapy in clinical practice.

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