Persistent atrial fibrillation is associated with larger left atrial and appendage dimensions compared to paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, though appendage morphology types do not differ.
Purpose: Pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) is effective in treating atrial fibrillation (AF), but outcomes are worse for persistent AF (persAF) patients than paroxysmal AF (PAF) patients. The study aimed to identify differences in left atrial (LA) and left atrial appendage (LAA) anatomy in different AF types. Methods: In a single-center observational study, a blinded retrospective analysis of preprocedural cardiac computed tomography angiography (CCTA) images was performed. The study evaluated the dimensions of the LA and pulmonary veins (PV), as well as the size and morphology of the LAA using a 3D electroanatomical mapping system. Results: = .01) were enlarged in persAF. There were no significant differences regarding LAA morphology, with the overall distribution being "windsock" (51%), "chicken-wing" (20%), "cauliflower" (15%), and "cactus" (13%). Conclusion: Compared to PAF, persAF patients had significantly larger LA as well as LAA dimensions. LAA morphological types were distributed equally in both groups suggesting that LAA morphology may not be associated with the underlying AF type.
Pongratz et al. (Thu,) studied this question.
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