title: The Role of Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Cardiac Computed Tomography in the Assessment of Left Atrial Anatomy, Size, and Function.
abstract: In the last decade, there has been increasing evidence that comprehensive evaluation of the left atrium is of utmost importance. Numerous studies have clearly demonstrated the prognostic value of left atrial volume for long-term outcome. Furthermore, advances in catheter ablation procedures used for the treatment of drug-refractory atrial fibrillation require the need for detailed knowledge of left atrial and pulmonary venous morphology as well of atrial wall characteristics. This review article discusses the role of cardiac magnetic resonance and computed tomography in assessment of left atrial size, its normal and abnormal morphology, and function. Special interest is paid to the utility of these rapidly involving noninvasive imaging methods before and after atrial fibrillation ablation.
authors.affiliation: Second Department of Medicine-Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University in Prague and General University Hospital in Prague, Prague, Czech Republic ; International Clinical Research Center, St. Anne's University Hospital in Brno, Brno, Czech Republic.
authors.forename: Petr
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kuchynka
authors.affiliation: Second Department of Medicine-Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University in Prague and General University Hospital in Prague, Prague, Czech Republic.
authors.forename: Jana
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Podzimkova
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University in Prague and General University Hospital in Prague, Prague, Czech Republic.
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Masek
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University in Prague and General University Hospital in Prague, Prague, Czech Republic.
authors.forename: Lukas
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Lambert
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University in Prague and General University Hospital in Prague, Prague, Czech Republic.
authors.forename: Vladimir
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Cerny
authors.affiliation: Second Department of Medicine-Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University in Prague and General University Hospital in Prague, Prague, Czech Republic.
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Danek
authors.affiliation: Second Department of Medicine-Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University in Prague and General University Hospital in Prague, Prague, Czech Republic ; International Clinical Research Center, St. Anne's University Hospital in Brno, Brno, Czech Republic.
authors.forename: Tomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Palecek
mesh_terms: D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D016279:Atrial Function, Left / Q000502:physiology*; D017115:Catheter Ablation; D006325:Heart Atria / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed