Novel three-dimensional imaging of the anatomical relationship between the pulmonary vein and left atrium

Circ J. 2009 Mar;73(3):573-4. doi: 10.1253/circj.cj-08-1038. Epub 2009 Feb 3.

Abstract

Background: Visualization of the inner anatomical relationship of the pulmonary veins (PVs) and left atrium (LA) is important for achieving a better success rate and avoiding complications in circumferential LA ablation for atrial fibrillation (AF).

Methods and results: Twelve patients with AF underwent computed tomography and novel post-processing images that emphasized the boundaries of the PVs and LA were produced.

Conclusions: The "Transparent View" images enabled visualization of the inner anatomical relationship of the PVs and LA in the same geometry as in pulmonary venography in all cases.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial

MeSH terms

  • Atrial Fibrillation / diagnostic imaging*
  • Atrial Fibrillation / surgery*
  • Catheter Ablation
  • Coronary Angiography / methods*
  • Female
  • Heart Atria / anatomy & histology
  • Heart Atria / diagnostic imaging
  • Heart Atria / surgery
  • Humans
  • Imaging, Three-Dimensional*
  • Middle Aged
  • Phlebography
  • Pulmonary Veins* / anatomy & histology
  • Pulmonary Veins* / diagnostic imaging
  • Pulmonary Veins* / surgery
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed