title: MR evaluation of pulmonary vein diameter reduction after radiofrequency catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation.
abstract: Fifty consecutive patients aged 52+/-12 years suffering from drug refractory atrial fibrillation (AF) underwent baseline and post-ablation MR angiography (MRA) at a mean follow-up of 4+/-3.5 months. Pulmonary vein (PV) disconnection was performed with a maximum energy delivery of 30 W. MRA allowed a two-plane measurement of each PV ostium. After ablation, no significant stenosis was observed, and only 1/194 (0.5%) and 3/194 (2%) PVs had a diameter reduction of 31-40% in the coronal and axial planes, respectively. There was a significant overall post-procedural PV narrowing of 4.9% in the coronal plane and 6.5% in the axial plane (P=ns between both planes). MRA is an efficient technique that can be used in pre- and postoperative evaluation of AF patients. Using a maximal power delivery limited to 30 W, no significant PV stenosis was observed at mid-term follow-up. Late PV anatomical assessment is needed to confirm these results on long-term follow-up.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Rouen University Hospital, Rouen, France.
authors.forename: Frédéric
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Anselme
authors.forename: Gérald
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Gahide
authors.forename: Arnaud
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Savouré
authors.forename: Edouard
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Gerbaud
authors.forename: Mikael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mabru
authors.forename: Alain
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cribier
authors.forename: Jean-Nicolas
authors.initials: JN
authors.lastname: Dacher
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D017115:Catheter Ablation / Q000009:adverse effects; D004562:Electrocardiography; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006325:Heart Atria / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D018810:Magnetic Resonance Angiography; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015588:Observer Variation; D011667:Pulmonary Veins / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D011668:Pulmonary Veno-Occlusive Disease / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D011859:Radiography; D012107:Research Design; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D016896:Treatment Outcome