Mapping and ablation of ventricular fibrillation substrate

Ventricular fibrillation (VF) is a life-threatening arrhythmia and a common cause of sudden cardiac death (SCD). A basic understanding of its mechanistic underpinning is crucial for enhancing our knowledge to develop innovative mapping and ablation techniques for this lethal rhythm. Significant advances in our understanding of VF have been made especially in the basic science and pre-clinical experimental realms. However, these studies have not yet translated into a robust clinical approach to identify and successfully ablate both the structural and functional substrate of VF. In this review, we aim to (1) provide a conceptual framework of VF and an overview of the data supporting the spatiotemporal dynamics of VF, (2) review experimental approaches to mapping VF to elucidate drivers and substrate for maintenance with a focus on the His-Purkinje system, (3) discuss current approaches using catheter ablation to treat VF, and (4) highlight current unknowns and gaps in the field where future work is necessary to transform the clinical landscape.