CT of the pulmonary veins

Abstract

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a common cardiac rhythm disturbance and its incidence is increasing. Radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) is a highly successful therapy for treating AF, and its use is becoming more widespread; however, with its increasing use and evolving technique, known complications are better understood and new complications are emerging. Computed tomography (CT) of the pulmonary veins, or more correctly, the posterior left atrium (LA), has an established role in precisely defining the complex anatomy of the LA and pulmonary veins preablation and has an expanding role in identifying the myriad of possible complications postablation. The purposes of this article are: to review AF and RFCA; to discuss CT evaluation of the LA and pulmonary veins preablation; and to review the complications of RFCA focusing on the role of CT postablation.