title: Extra cardiac findings by 64-multidetector computed tomography in patients with symptomatic atrial fibrillation prior to pulmonal vein isolation.
abstract: The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of extracardiac findings diagnosed by 64-multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) examinations prior to circumferential pulmonary vein (PV) ablation of atrial fibrillation (AF). A total of 158 patients (median age, 60.5 years; male 68%) underwent 64-MDCT of the chest and upper abdomen to characterize left atrial and PV anatomy prior to AF ablation. MDCT images were evaluated by a thoracic radiologist and a cardiologist. For additional scan interpretation, bone, lung, and soft tissue window settings were used. CT scans with extra-cardiac abnormalities categorized for the anatomic distribution and divided into two groups: Group 1-exhibiting clinically significant or potentially significant findings, and Group 2-patients with clinically non-significant findings. Extracardiac findings (n = 198) were observed in 113/158 (72%) patients. At least one significant finding was noted in 49/158 patients (31%). Group 1 abnormalities, such as malignancies or pneumonias, were found in 85/198 findings (43%). Group 2 findings, for example mild degenerative spine disease or pleural thickening, were observed in 113/198 findings (72%). 74/198 Extracardiac findings were located in the lung (37%), 35/198 in the mediastinum (18%), 8/198 into the liver (4%) and 81/198 were in other organs (41). There is an appreciable prevalence of prior undiagnosed extracardiac findings detected in patients with AF prior to PV-Isolation by MDCT. Clinically significant or potentially significant findings can be expected in ~40% of patients who undergo cardiac MDCT. Interdisciplinary trained personnel is required to identify and interpret both cardiac and extra cardiac findings.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology and Pneumology/Heart Center, Georg-August-University, Göttingen, Germany. christian.sohns@gmx.de
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Sohns
authors.forename: Samuel
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sossalla
authors.forename: Dirk
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Vollmann
authors.forename: Lars
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Luethje
authors.forename: Joachim
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Seegers
authors.forename: Jan D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Schmitto
authors.forename: Markus
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zabel
authors.forename: Silvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Obenauer
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery; D017115:Catheter Ablation; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany; D006801:Humans; D033162:Incidental Findings; D033183:Interdisciplinary Communication; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010348:Patient Care Team; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011300:Preoperative Care; D011667:Pulmonary Veins / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery; D011857:Radiographic Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D055815:Young Adult