The Next Frontier of Cardiac Mapping - Powered by Johnson & Johnson MedTech-The Next Frontier of Cardiac Mapping

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Video Summary

The panel discussed the evolving meaning of cardiac “mapping” in electrophysiology, emphasizing that mapping is not just a procedural tool but a continuum that can begin before the patient enters the lab and continue after ablation. Experts distinguished three patient groups: early atrial fibrillation, advanced atrial fibrillation, and ventricular arrhythmias. For early AF, they debated whether mapping is mainly navigation or whether it can identify patients who will fail pulmonary vein isolation (PVI). For advanced AF, they explored how digital twins, MRI, ECG, ICE, impedance, and other data could help identify actionable substrate and personalize ablation beyond a one-size-fits-all PVI strategy.<br /><br />A major theme was the need to improve outcomes while avoiding unnecessary tissue destruction and preserving access. Several speakers warned that increasing complexity could widen health inequities unless systems are designed for broad usability and cost-effectiveness. The panel also stressed that mapping must be dynamic, efficient, and clinically actionable—not just scientifically interesting.<br /><br />Looking ahead five years, the panel envisioned integrated, continuously updated digital twins, interventional and pre-procedural prediction tools, better lesion assessment, and AI-driven fusion maps that combine anatomy, substrate, and physiology to guide more precise, patient-centered ablation.

Keywords

cardiac mapping

electrophysiology

atrial fibrillation

pulmonary vein isolation

digital twins

substrate mapping

ablation strategy

artificial intelligence