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Journal of Interventional Cardiac Electrophysiology

Published in:

01-08-2012

Anatomical analysis of the left atrial appendage using segmented, three-dimensional cardiac CT: a comparison of patients with paroxysmal and persistent forms of atrial fibrillation

Authors: Daniel T. Walker, Julie A. Humphries, Karen P. Phillips

Published in: Journal of Interventional Cardiac Electrophysiology | Issue 2/2012

Abstract

Purpose

Successful implantation of percutaneous left atrial appendage (LAA) occlusion devices requires an accurate understanding of LAA anatomy and orifice dimensions. We sought to quantitatively compare LAA anatomy in patients with paroxysmal and persistent patterns of atrial fibrillation (AF).

Methods

Fifty-nine consecutive patients undergoing catheter ablation for AF underwent pre-procedural multislice cardiac computed tomography (CT) scans. Maximal LAA orifice dimensions and left atrial and LAA volumes were measured from three-dimensional segmented CT reconstructions. Thirty-six patients with paroxysmal and 23 with persistent AF were analysed.

Results

The mean maximal LAA orifice dimension was larger in persistent (27.2 ± 4 mm) than paroxysmal AF (22.9 ± 3 mm, p < 0.001). A strong correlation was found between both increasing LAA volume (r = 0.76), maximal LAA orifice dimension (r = 0.63) and left atrial volume.

Conclusions

Increased LAA orifice dimension is associated with left atrial enlargement in AF. This finding may impact LAA occlusion device sizing.

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Title: Anatomical analysis of the left atrial appendage using segmented, three-dimensional cardiac CT: a comparison of patients with paroxysmal and persistent forms of atrial fibrillation
Authors: Daniel T. Walker
Julie A. Humphries
Karen P. Phillips
Publication date: 01-08-2012
Publisher: Springer US
Published in: Journal of Interventional Cardiac Electrophysiology / Issue 2/2012
Print ISSN: 1383-875X
Electronic ISSN: 1572-8595
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10840-011-9638-1

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Anatomical analysis of the left atrial appendage using segmented, three-dimensional cardiac CT: a comparison of patients with paroxysmal and persistent forms of atrial fibrillation

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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Abstract

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