Open AccessAcquisition of the pulmonary venous and left atrial anatomy with non‐contrast‐enhanced MRI for catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation: Usefulness of two‐dimensional balanced steady‐state free precession
Author(s) -
Shigenaga Yutaka,
Kiuchi Kunihiko,
Okajima Katsunori,
Ikeuchi Kazushi,
Ikeda Takayuki,
Shimane Akira,
Yokoi Kiminobu,
Teranishi Jin,
Aoki Kousuke,
Chimura Misato,
Masai Hideyuki,
Yamada Shinichiro,
Taniguchi Yasuyo,
Yasaka Yoshinori,
Kawai Hiroya
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
journal of arrhythmia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.463
H-Index - 21
eISSN - 1883-2148
pISSN - 1880-4276
DOI - 10.1016/j.joa.2014.11.006
Subject(s) - steady state free precession imaging , medicine , atrial fibrillation , ablation , nuclear medicine , catheter ablation , magnetic resonance imaging , pulmonary vein , radiology , cardiology
Background Usually, the pulmonary venous and left atrial (PV–LA) anatomy is assessed with contrast‐enhanced computed tomographic imaging for catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation (AF). A non‐contrast‐enhanced magnetic resonance (MR) imaging method has not been established. Three‐dimensional balanced steady‐state free precession (3D b‐SSFP) sequences cannot visualize the PV–LA anatomy simultaneously because of the signal intensity defect of pulmonary veins. We compared two‐dimensional (2D) b‐SSFP sequences with 3D b‐SSFP sequences in depicting the PV–LA anatomy with non‐contrast‐enhanced MR imaging for AF ablation. Methods Eleven healthy volunteers underwent non‐contrast‐enhanced MR imaging with 3D b‐SSFP and 2D b‐SSFP sequences. The MR images were reconstructed on the 3D PV–LA surface image. Two experienced radiological technicians independently scored the multiplanar reformatted (MPR) images on a scale of 1–4 (from 1, not visualized, to 4, excellent definition). The overall score was a sum of 5 segments (LA and 4 PVs). Results In the 2D b‐SSFP method, MR imaging was successfully performed, and the 3D PV–LA surface image was precisely reconstructed in all healthy volunteers. The image score was significantly higher in the 2D b‐SSFP method compared to the 3D b‐SSFP method (19 [19; 20] vs. 12 [11; 15], p =0.004, for both observers). No PV signal intensity defects occurred in the 2D b‐SSFP method. Conclusions The 2D b‐SSFP sequence was more useful than the 3D b‐SSFP sequence in adequately depicting the PV–LA anatomy.