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BMC Cardiovascular Disorders

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Open Access 01-12-2021 | Computed Tomography | Research article

Anatomical correlation between left atrium pulmonary vein ablation targets of atrial fibrillation and adjacent bronchi and pulmonary arteries by MSCT

Authors: Yan-Jing Wang, Huan Sun, Xiao-Fei Fan, Meng-Chao Zhang, Ping Yang, Hong Zeng, Lin Liu

Published in: BMC Cardiovascular Disorders | Issue 1/2021

Abstract

Background

The ablation targets of atrial fibrillation (AF) are adjacent to bronchi and pulmonary arteries (PAs). We used computed tomography (CT) to evaluate the anatomical correlation between left atrium (LA)-pulmonary vein (PV) and adjacent structures.

Methods

Data were collected from 126 consecutive patients using coronary artery CT angiography. The LA roof was divided into three layers and nine points. The minimal spatial distances from the nine points and four PV orifices to the adjacent bronchi and PAs were measured. The distances from the PV orifices to the nearest contact points of the PVs, bronchi, and PAs were measured.

Results

The anterior points of the LA roof were farther to the bronchi than the middle or posterior points. The distances from the nine points to the PAs were shorter than those to the bronchi (5.19 ± 3.33 mm vs 8.62 ± 3.07 mm; P < .001). The bilateral superior PV orifices, especially the right superior PV orifices were closer to the PAs than the inferior PV orifices (left superior PV: 7.59 ± 4.14 mm; right superior PV: 4.43 ± 2.51 mm; left inferior PV: 24.74 ± 5.26 mm; right inferior PV: 22.33 ± 4.75 mm) (P < .001).

Conclusions

The right superior PV orifices were closer to the bronchi and PAs than other PV orifices. The ablation at the mid-posterior LA roof had a higher possibility to damage bronchi. CT is a feasible method to assess the anatomical adjacency in vivo, which might provide guidance for AF ablation.

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Title: Anatomical correlation between left atrium pulmonary vein ablation targets of atrial fibrillation and adjacent bronchi and pulmonary arteries by MSCT
Authors: Yan-Jing Wang
Huan Sun
Xiao-Fei Fan
Meng-Chao Zhang
Ping Yang
Hong Zeng
Lin Liu
Publication date: 01-12-2021
Publisher: BioMed Central
Keywords: Computed Tomography
Computed Tomography
Atrial Fibrillation
Published in: BMC Cardiovascular Disorders / Issue 1/2021
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2261
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12872-021-01881-2

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