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. 2009 Jan;5(1):17-21.
doi: 10.2174/157340309787048121.

Evaluation of the Pulmonary Veins and Left Atrial Volume using Multidetector Computed Tomography in Patients Undergoing Catheter Ablation for Atrial Fibrillation

Hiroki Ito  1 , Khaled A Dajani
Affiliations

Evaluation of the Pulmonary Veins and Left Atrial Volume using Multidetector Computed Tomography in Patients Undergoing Catheter Ablation for Atrial Fibrillation

Hiroki Ito et al. Curr Cardiol Rev. 2009 Jan.

Abstract

Catheter ablation is an evolving treatment option in patients with atrial fibrillation. Contrast enhanced electrocardiogram-gated multi-detector computed tomography (MDCT) has rapidly evolved over the past few years into an important tool in the diagnosis of coronary atherosclerosis. There is increasing recognition that MDCT is a useful tool to evaluate non-coronary structures, such as cardiac chambers, valves, the coronary sinus and adjacent structures including pulmonary veins. In particular, MDCT is playing an increasingly important role in the evaluation of the left atrium and the pulmonary veins in patients undergoing catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation. It provides accurate and reliable identification of the pulmonary veins and anatomical relationship between the left atrium and esophagus although the mobile esophagus may limit the value of MDCT to reduce the risk of atrio-esophagus fistula. In this article, we will review the evaluation of the left atrium and pulmonary veins using MDCT in patients undergoing catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation.

Keywords: Cardiac imaging; Multi-detector computed tomography; atrial fibrillation; catheter ablation.; left atrial volume; pulmonary veins.

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Figures

Fig. (1)
Fig. (1)
Variations in pulmonary vein patterns. A: Normal pulmonary veins; B: Conjoined left pulmonary veins; C: Accessory pulmonary vein.
Fig. (2)
Fig. (2)
Measurements of size of pulmonary vein ostium.
Fig. (3)
Fig. (3)
Paintbrush technique to calculate left atrial volume at each slice, excluding pulmonary veins and left atrial appendage.
Fig. (4)
Fig. (4)
Left atrial volume (mean value ± standard deviation) in each phase of the R-R interval using retrospective ECG-gating method, *: p <0.001.
Fig. (5)
Fig. (5)
Left atrium and pulmonary veins: Integrated images of electro-anatomical mapping with three-dimensional computed tomographic images.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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