title: Characterization of left atrium and distal pulmonary vein morphology using multidimensional computed tomography.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  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.
authors.affiliation: Atrial Arrhythmia Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA. schwartzmand@msx.upmc.edu
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Schwartzman
authors.forename: Joan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lacomis
authors.forename: William G
authors.initials: WG
authors.lastname: Wigginton
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004452:Echocardiography; D005260:Female; D006325:Heart Atria / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011667:Pulmonary Veins / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D036542:Tomography, Spiral Computed