Skip to main content
Top
Published in: The International Journal of Cardiovascular Imaging 6/2015

01-08-2015 | Original Paper

Relation between left atrial wall composition by late gadolinium enhancement and complex fractionated atrial electrograms in patients with persistent atrial fibrillation: influence of non-fibrotic substrate in the left atrium

Authors: Sung Ho Hwang, Yu-Whan Oh, Dae In Lee, Jaemin Shim, Sang-Weon Park, Young-Hoon Kim

Published in: The International Journal of Cardiovascular Imaging | Issue 6/2015

Login to get access

Abstract

The complex fractioned atrial electrogram (CFAE) has been considered as the catheter ablation target of left atrium (LA) under persistent atrial fibrillation (PeAF). We evaluated the relation between the LA wall composition by late gadolinium enhancement cardiac magnetic resonance (LGE-CMR) and the CFAE in patients with PeAF. Forty-three patients underwent LGE-CMR and CFAE mapping before catheter ablation for PeAF. The LA wall substrates were classified into three: the fibrotic, intermediate, and normal substrates by using two thresholds of 2 standard deviation (2-SD) and 6-SD above the mean signal from the normal myocardium. For each of 12 preselected LA wall regions, the composition ratios (CRs) of fibrotic, indeterminate, and normal substrates were calculated as a percentage to the volume of LA wall region, and compared depending on the CFAE, respectively. The CR of normal substrate was significantly greater at the LA wall region with CFAE (52 ± 38 % vs. 20 ± 28 %, P < 0.01) than without CFAE. In contrast, the LA wall region with CFAE showed significantly lower CRs of intermediate substrate (39 ± 34 % vs. 57 ± 31 %, P < 0.01) and fibrotic substrate (7 ± 17 % vs. 21 ± 24 %, P < 0.01) than did the LA wall region without CFAE, respectively. Thus, the high CR (>18 %) of normal substrate predicted the CFAE at the corresponding LA wall region with 71 % sensitivity and 62 % specificity. In conclusion, the evaluation of LA wall normal substrate by LGE-CMR might be useful to predict the CFAE occurrence before catheter ablation of PeAF.
Literature
1.
go back to reference Haissaguerre M, Sanders P, Hocini M et al (2005) Catheter ablation of long-lasting persistent atrial fibrillation: critical structures for termination. J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol 16(11):1125–1137PubMedCrossRef Haissaguerre M, Sanders P, Hocini M et al (2005) Catheter ablation of long-lasting persistent atrial fibrillation: critical structures for termination. J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol 16(11):1125–1137PubMedCrossRef
2.
go back to reference Oral H, Chugh A, Yoshida K et al (2009) A randomized assessment of the incremental role of ablation of complex fractionated atrial electrograms after antral pulmonary vein isolation for long-lasting persistent atrial fibrillation. J Am Coll Cardiol 53(9):782–789PubMedCrossRef Oral H, Chugh A, Yoshida K et al (2009) A randomized assessment of the incremental role of ablation of complex fractionated atrial electrograms after antral pulmonary vein isolation for long-lasting persistent atrial fibrillation. J Am Coll Cardiol 53(9):782–789PubMedCrossRef
3.
go back to reference Haissaguerre M, Jais P, Shah DC et al (1998) Spontaneous initiation of atrial fibrillation by ectopic beats originating in the pulmonary veins. N Engl J Med 339(10):659–666PubMedCrossRef Haissaguerre M, Jais P, Shah DC et al (1998) Spontaneous initiation of atrial fibrillation by ectopic beats originating in the pulmonary veins. N Engl J Med 339(10):659–666PubMedCrossRef
4.
go back to reference Jais P, Haissaguerre M, Shah DC et al (1996) Regional disparities of endocardial atrial activation in paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. Pacing Clin Electrophysiol 19(11 Pt 2):1998–2003PubMedCrossRef Jais P, Haissaguerre M, Shah DC et al (1996) Regional disparities of endocardial atrial activation in paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. Pacing Clin Electrophysiol 19(11 Pt 2):1998–2003PubMedCrossRef
5.
go back to reference Nademanee K, McKenzie J, Kosar E et al (2004) A new approach for catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation: mapping of the electrophysiologic substrate. J Am Coll Cardiol 43(11):2044–2053PubMedCrossRef Nademanee K, McKenzie J, Kosar E et al (2004) A new approach for catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation: mapping of the electrophysiologic substrate. J Am Coll Cardiol 43(11):2044–2053PubMedCrossRef
6.
go back to reference Jadidi AS, Cochet H, Shah AJ et al (2013) Inverse relationship between fractionated electrograms and atrial fibrosis in persistent atrial fibrillation: combined magnetic resonance imaging and high-density mapping. J Am Coll Cardiol 62(9):802–812PubMedCrossRef Jadidi AS, Cochet H, Shah AJ et al (2013) Inverse relationship between fractionated electrograms and atrial fibrosis in persistent atrial fibrillation: combined magnetic resonance imaging and high-density mapping. J Am Coll Cardiol 62(9):802–812PubMedCrossRef
7.
go back to reference Kanazawa H, Yamabe H, Enomoto K et al (2014) Importance of pericardial fat in the formation of complex fractionated atrial electrogram region in atrial fibrillation. Int J Cardiol 174(3):557–564PubMedCrossRef Kanazawa H, Yamabe H, Enomoto K et al (2014) Importance of pericardial fat in the formation of complex fractionated atrial electrogram region in atrial fibrillation. Int J Cardiol 174(3):557–564PubMedCrossRef
8.
go back to reference Kopecky SL, Gersh BJ, McGoon MD et al (1987) The natural history of lone atrial fibrillation. A population-based study over three decades. N Engl J Med 317(11):669–674PubMedCrossRef Kopecky SL, Gersh BJ, McGoon MD et al (1987) The natural history of lone atrial fibrillation. A population-based study over three decades. N Engl J Med 317(11):669–674PubMedCrossRef
9.
go back to reference Wijffels MC, Kirchhof CJ, Dorland R et al (1995) Atrial fibrillation begets atrial fibrillation. A study in awake chronically instrumented goats. Circulation 92(7):1954–1968PubMedCrossRef Wijffels MC, Kirchhof CJ, Dorland R et al (1995) Atrial fibrillation begets atrial fibrillation. A study in awake chronically instrumented goats. Circulation 92(7):1954–1968PubMedCrossRef
10.
go back to reference Tanaka K, Zlochiver S, Vikstrom KL et al (2007) Spatial distribution of fibrosis governs fibrillation wave dynamics in the posterior left atrium during heart failure. Circ Res 101(8):839–847PubMedCrossRef Tanaka K, Zlochiver S, Vikstrom KL et al (2007) Spatial distribution of fibrosis governs fibrillation wave dynamics in the posterior left atrium during heart failure. Circ Res 101(8):839–847PubMedCrossRef
11.
go back to reference Konings KT, Smeets JL, Penn OC et al (1997) Configuration of unipolar atrial electrograms during electrically induced atrial fibrillation in humans. Circulation 95(5):1231–1241PubMedCrossRef Konings KT, Smeets JL, Penn OC et al (1997) Configuration of unipolar atrial electrograms during electrically induced atrial fibrillation in humans. Circulation 95(5):1231–1241PubMedCrossRef
12.
go back to reference Lin J, Scherlag BJ, Zhou J et al (2007) Autonomic mechanism to explain complex fractionated atrial electrograms (CFAE). J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol 18(11):1197–1205PubMedCrossRef Lin J, Scherlag BJ, Zhou J et al (2007) Autonomic mechanism to explain complex fractionated atrial electrograms (CFAE). J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol 18(11):1197–1205PubMedCrossRef
13.
go back to reference Kim RJ, Wu E, Rafael A et al (2000) The use of contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging to identify reversible myocardial dysfunction. N Engl J Med 343(20):1445–1453PubMedCrossRef Kim RJ, Wu E, Rafael A et al (2000) The use of contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging to identify reversible myocardial dysfunction. N Engl J Med 343(20):1445–1453PubMedCrossRef
14.
go back to reference De Cobelli F, Pieroni M, Esposito A et al (2006) Delayed gadolinium-enhanced cardiac magnetic resonance in patients with chronic myocarditis presenting with heart failure or recurrent arrhythmias. J Am Coll Cardiol 47(8):1649–1654PubMedCrossRef De Cobelli F, Pieroni M, Esposito A et al (2006) Delayed gadolinium-enhanced cardiac magnetic resonance in patients with chronic myocarditis presenting with heart failure or recurrent arrhythmias. J Am Coll Cardiol 47(8):1649–1654PubMedCrossRef
15.
go back to reference Flett AS, Hasleton J, Cook C et al (2011) Evaluation of techniques for the quantification of myocardial scar of differing etiology using cardiac magnetic resonance. JACC Cardiovasc Imaging 4(2):150–156PubMedCrossRef Flett AS, Hasleton J, Cook C et al (2011) Evaluation of techniques for the quantification of myocardial scar of differing etiology using cardiac magnetic resonance. JACC Cardiovasc Imaging 4(2):150–156PubMedCrossRef
16.
go back to reference Hwang SH, Choi EY, Park CH et al (2014) Evaluation of extracellular volume fraction thresholds corresponding to myocardial late-gadolinium enhancement using cardiac magnetic resonance. Int J Cardiovasc Imaging 30(Suppl 2):137–144PubMedCrossRef Hwang SH, Choi EY, Park CH et al (2014) Evaluation of extracellular volume fraction thresholds corresponding to myocardial late-gadolinium enhancement using cardiac magnetic resonance. Int J Cardiovasc Imaging 30(Suppl 2):137–144PubMedCrossRef
17.
go back to reference Henriksson KM, Farahmand B, Johansson S et al (2010) Survival after stroke—the impact of CHADS2 score and atrial fibrillation. Int J Cardiol 141(1):18–23PubMedCrossRef Henriksson KM, Farahmand B, Johansson S et al (2010) Survival after stroke—the impact of CHADS2 score and atrial fibrillation. Int J Cardiol 141(1):18–23PubMedCrossRef
18.
go back to reference Verma A, Wazni OM, Marrouche NF et al (2005) Pre-existent left atrial scarring in patients undergoing pulmonary vein antrum isolation: an independent predictor of procedural failure. J Am Coll Cardiol 45(2):285–292PubMedCrossRef Verma A, Wazni OM, Marrouche NF et al (2005) Pre-existent left atrial scarring in patients undergoing pulmonary vein antrum isolation: an independent predictor of procedural failure. J Am Coll Cardiol 45(2):285–292PubMedCrossRef
19.
go back to reference Oakes RS, Badger TJ, Kholmovski EG et al (2009) Detection and quantification of left atrial structural remodeling with delayed-enhancement magnetic resonance imaging in patients with atrial fibrillation. Circulation 119(13):1758–1767PubMedCentralPubMedCrossRef Oakes RS, Badger TJ, Kholmovski EG et al (2009) Detection and quantification of left atrial structural remodeling with delayed-enhancement magnetic resonance imaging in patients with atrial fibrillation. Circulation 119(13):1758–1767PubMedCentralPubMedCrossRef
20.
go back to reference Akkaya M, Higuchi K, Koopmann M et al (2013) Higher degree of left atrial structural remodeling in patients with atrial fibrillation and left ventricular systolic dysfunction. J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol 24(5):485–491PubMedCrossRef Akkaya M, Higuchi K, Koopmann M et al (2013) Higher degree of left atrial structural remodeling in patients with atrial fibrillation and left ventricular systolic dysfunction. J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol 24(5):485–491PubMedCrossRef
21.
go back to reference Badger TJ, Daccarett M, Akoum NW et al (2010) Evaluation of left atrial lesions after initial and repeat atrial fibrillation ablation: lessons learned from delayed-enhancement MRI in repeat ablation procedures. Circ Arrhythm Electrophysiol 3(3):249–259PubMedCentralPubMedCrossRef Badger TJ, Daccarett M, Akoum NW et al (2010) Evaluation of left atrial lesions after initial and repeat atrial fibrillation ablation: lessons learned from delayed-enhancement MRI in repeat ablation procedures. Circ Arrhythm Electrophysiol 3(3):249–259PubMedCentralPubMedCrossRef
22.
go back to reference Taclas JE, Nezafat R, Wylie JV et al (2010) Relationship between intended sites of RF ablation and post-procedural scar in AF patients, using late gadolinium enhancement cardiovascular magnetic resonance. Heart Rhythm 7(4):489–496PubMedCentralPubMedCrossRef Taclas JE, Nezafat R, Wylie JV et al (2010) Relationship between intended sites of RF ablation and post-procedural scar in AF patients, using late gadolinium enhancement cardiovascular magnetic resonance. Heart Rhythm 7(4):489–496PubMedCentralPubMedCrossRef
23.
go back to reference Malcolme-Lawes LC, Juli C, Karim R et al (2013) Automated analysis of atrial late gadolinium enhancement imaging that correlates with endocardial voltage and clinical outcomes: a 2-center study. Heart Rhythm 10(8):1184–1191PubMedCentralPubMedCrossRef Malcolme-Lawes LC, Juli C, Karim R et al (2013) Automated analysis of atrial late gadolinium enhancement imaging that correlates with endocardial voltage and clinical outcomes: a 2-center study. Heart Rhythm 10(8):1184–1191PubMedCentralPubMedCrossRef
24.
go back to reference Malcolme-Lawes SH, Oh YW, Lee DI et al (2014) Evaluation of quantification methods for left arial late gadolinium enhancement based on different references in patients with atrial fibrillation. Int J Cardiovasc Imaging. doi:10.1007/s10554-014-0563-0 Malcolme-Lawes SH, Oh YW, Lee DI et al (2014) Evaluation of quantification methods for left arial late gadolinium enhancement based on different references in patients with atrial fibrillation. Int J Cardiovasc Imaging. doi:10.​1007/​s10554-014-0563-0
25.
go back to reference Schmidt M, Dorwarth U, Andresen D et al (2014) Cryoballoon versus RF ablation in paroxysmal atrial fibrillation: results from the German Ablation Registry. J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol 25(1):1–7PubMedCrossRef Schmidt M, Dorwarth U, Andresen D et al (2014) Cryoballoon versus RF ablation in paroxysmal atrial fibrillation: results from the German Ablation Registry. J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol 25(1):1–7PubMedCrossRef
26.
go back to reference Ho SY, Anderson RH, Sanchez-Quintana D (2002) Atrial structure and fibres: morphologic bases of atrial conduction. Cardiovasc Res 54(2):325–336PubMedCrossRef Ho SY, Anderson RH, Sanchez-Quintana D (2002) Atrial structure and fibres: morphologic bases of atrial conduction. Cardiovasc Res 54(2):325–336PubMedCrossRef
27.
go back to reference Atienza F, Calvo D, Almendral J et al (2011) Mechanisms of fractionated electrograms formation in the posterior left atrium during paroxysmal atrial fibrillation in humans. J Am Coll Cardiol 57(9):1081–1092PubMedCentralPubMedCrossRef Atienza F, Calvo D, Almendral J et al (2011) Mechanisms of fractionated electrograms formation in the posterior left atrium during paroxysmal atrial fibrillation in humans. J Am Coll Cardiol 57(9):1081–1092PubMedCentralPubMedCrossRef
28.
go back to reference Park JH, Park SW, Kim JY et al (2010) Characteristics of complex fractionated atrial electrogram in the electroanatomically remodeled left atrium of patients with atrial fibrillation. Circ J 74(8):1557–1563PubMedCrossRef Park JH, Park SW, Kim JY et al (2010) Characteristics of complex fractionated atrial electrogram in the electroanatomically remodeled left atrium of patients with atrial fibrillation. Circ J 74(8):1557–1563PubMedCrossRef
Metadata
Title
Relation between left atrial wall composition by late gadolinium enhancement and complex fractionated atrial electrograms in patients with persistent atrial fibrillation: influence of non-fibrotic substrate in the left atrium
Authors
Sung Ho Hwang
Yu-Whan Oh
Dae In Lee
Jaemin Shim
Sang-Weon Park
Young-Hoon Kim
Publication date
01-08-2015
Publisher
Springer Netherlands
Published in
The International Journal of Cardiovascular Imaging / Issue 6/2015
Print ISSN: 1569-5794
Electronic ISSN: 1875-8312
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10554-015-0675-1

Other articles of this Issue 6/2015

The International Journal of Cardiovascular Imaging 6/2015 Go to the issue