Cardiac CT and MRI play a crucial role in guiding radiofrequency catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation and evaluating post-procedural complications.
May enhance AF ablation planning and complication assessment; leaves open prospective validation of fibrosis characterization.
Pre-procedure X-ray computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) angiography are commonly used to delineate the complex and variable relationship of the left atrium, pulmonary veins, and surrounding structures. 3D CT and MR angiography are routinely incorporated into electroanatomic mapping systems to guide ablation lesion placement in the context of patient specific anatomy. Post-procedure CT and MRI have also proven useful for evaluating complications such as pulmonary vein stenosis. In the future, these imaging modalities may be used to visualize more detailed tissue characteristics such as atrial fibrosis and ablation lesions. This could improve selection of patients for different treatment strategies and perhaps guide more effective ablation. This review will discuss current and emerging applications of CT and MRI before and after radiofrequency catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation.
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Aravindan Kolandaivelu (2012) studied this question.
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