Key result
Atrial fibrillation was associated with significantly larger left atrial and pulmonary vein dimensions on multidetector computed tomography compared to patients without atrial fibrillation.
Why the study?
Detailed knowledge of left atrial and pulmonary vein anatomy is needed to assist development of ablative intervention techniques, and multidetector helical computed tomography offers multidimensional imaging of cardiac anatomy.
Does multidetector helical computed tomography identify differences in left atrial and pulmonary vein dimensions and morphology between subjects with and without atrial fibrillation?
Observational (n=117)
Does multidetector helical computed tomography identify differences in left atrial and pulmonary vein dimensions and morphology between subjects with and without atrial fibrillation?
MDCT accurately characterizes left atrial and pulmonary vein anatomy, demonstrating that while dimensions are larger in patients with AF, males, and those with persistent AF, general morphologic details remain similar.
OBJECTIVES: This study was designed to examine the dimensions and morphology of left atrial (LA) and distal pulmonary veins (PVs) using multidetector helical computed tomography (MDCT). BACKGROUND: Detailed knowledge of LA and PV anatomy will assist in the development of techniques for ablative intervention. Multidetector helical computed tomography is a method for multidimensional imaging of cardiac anatomy. METHODS: Multidetector helical computed tomography was used to image the LA and PVs in 70 subjects with and 47 subjects without atrial fibrillation (AF). Accuracy of the MDCT data was confirmed by correlation with echocardiography and endocardial electrogram recordings. RESULTS: Left atrial and PV dimensions were significantly larger in AF versus non-AF subjects, men versus women, and subjects with persistent versus paroxysmal AF. There were no differences between groups in morphologic detail. CONCLUSIONS: Multidetector helical computed tomography images of the LA and PVs are accurate and provide detailed anatomic information. Significant differences in dimensions but not morphologic detail were apparent between groups.
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SCHWARTZMAN et al. (2003) conducted an observational in Atrial Fibrillation (n=117). Atrial fibrillation vs. No atrial fibrillation was evaluated on Left atrial and pulmonary vein dimensions and morphology. Atrial fibrillation was associated with significantly larger left atrial and pulmonary vein dimensions on multidetector computed tomography compared to patients without atrial fibrillation.
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