Emanuela Finotti

PhD Student
Electronic Engineering Department
Universitat Politècnica de València (Spain)

Research line: Biosignal Analysis
PhD Supervisor: José J. Rieta

Doctoral Thesis

Nonlinear Analysis of Complex Fractionated Atrial Electrograms for the Characterization of Atrial Substrate in Atrial Fibrillation

This doctoral research investigates how nonlinear signal analysis can help characterize the atrial substrate in patients with atrial fibrillation. It focuses on complex fractionated atrial electrograms (CFAEs), recordings of local electrical activity obtained during catheter ablation, and on the differences between paroxysmal and persistent forms of the arrhythmia.

A central objective is to improve the reliability of the information extracted from these recordings. The research plan proposes methods for identifying and excluding noisy or artifact-contaminated signal segments, then assessing how this quality-control process affects the stability of nonlinear measures within individual recordings and across recording sites in the same patient.

The work also examines nonlinear features that may distinguish paroxysmal from persistent atrial fibrillation and proposes straightforward, interpretable classification models. The aim is to provide a more reliable assessment of atrial remodeling and support research toward more personalized ablation strategies. The description summarizes the doctoral research plan and its objectives.