[Usefulness of previsualization of the cardiac venous system by 64-slice computed tomography in patients with heart failure underwent cardiac resynchronization therapy].
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the value of 64-slice computed tomography (MDCT) in previsualization the cardiac veins anatomy before the implantation of cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT).


METHODS
The 64-slice CT scans of 21 patients [10 men, age (61.6 ± 9.7) years] were obtained and analyzed before the implantation of CRT. Retrograde coronary venography was performed during intraoperational fluoroscopy. The coronary sinus (CS) and the main tributaries were measured.


RESULTS
Similar images to those obtained during the CRT implantation procedure were obtained by MDCT in 71% of the patients. The coronary sinus was clearly visible in all cases, the measured ostium was (12.1 ± 4.2) mm, and the angle between the CS and the vertical plane was (99 ± 12) degrees. In 90% of patients, at least one vein was clearly visible in the target area. Among the target veins, the posterolateral vein was visible in most cases (86%) and the lateral vein was visible in 48% of the patients.


CONCLUSIONS
MDCT is an effective and noninvasive method for previsualization of the cardiac venous system, which may facilitate optimal left ventricular lead positioning for CRT implantation.
Cardiac Arrhythmia Center, Cardiovascular Institute and Fu Wai Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100037, China.
Wei
W
Hua
Li-gang
LG
Ding
Shu
S
Zhang
Ke-ping
KP
Chen
Jin
J
Wang
Fang-zheng
FZ
Wang
D000368:Aged; D002304:Cardiac Pacing, Artificial; D058406:Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy; D017023:Coronary Angiography; D005260:Female; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D036542:Tomography, Spiral Computed