Pulmonary veins of the patients with atrial fibrillation: Dual-source computed tomography evaluation prior to radiofrequency catheter ablation

Detailed knowledge of pulmonary vein (PV) anatomy is essential for successful radiofrequency catheter ablation. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the anatomy of pulmonary veins (PVs) by using dual-source computed tomography (DSCT). 57 patients with and 53 subjects without atrial fibrillation underwent DSCT examination. PV variations were more common in patients than those in subjects (29.8% vs. 13.2%). Early branching occurred more often with right than with left PVs (P < 0.01). Size of superior and right PVs ostia was larger than that of inferior and left PVs in patients and subjects (P < 0.01), respectively. The ostia of right PVs were more round than those of left PVs (P < 0.01). For each PV, the 95% confidence intervals of spatial angles were rather narrow. In conclusion, the variations, ostial size and shape and spatial orientation of PVs could be precisely visualized and adequately evaluated by DSCT.