Visualization of the Radiofrequency Lesion After Pulmonary Vein Isolation Using Delayed Enhancement Magnetic Resonance Imaging Fused with Magnetic Resonance Angiography

Overview

Journal J Arrhythm

Publisher Wiley

Date 2015 Sep 4

PMID 26336549

Citations 6

Authors

Kunihiko Kiuchi

Katsunori Okajima

Akira Shimane

Kiminobu Yokoi

Jin Teranishi

Kousuke Aoki

Misato Chimura

Hideo Tsubata

Taishi Miyata

Yuuki Matsuoka

Takayoshi Toba

Shogo Ohishi

Takahiro Sawada

Yasue Tsukishiro

Tetsuari Onishi

Seiichi Kobayashi

Shinichiro Yamada

Yasuyo Taniguchi

Yoshinori Yasaka

Hiroya Kawai

Kazushi Ikeuchi

Yutaka Shigenaga

Takayuki Ikeda

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Background: The radiofrequency (RF) lesions for atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation can be visualized by delayed enhancement magnetic resonance imaging (DE-MRI). However, the quality of anatomical information provided by DE-MRI is not adequate due to its spatial resolution. In contrast, magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) provides similar information regarding the left atrium (LA) and pulmonary veins (PVs) as computed tomography angiography. We hypothesized that DE-MRI fused with MRA will compensate for the inadequate image quality provided by DE-MRI.

Methods: DE-MRI and MRA were performed in 18 patients who underwent AF ablation (age, 60±9 years; LA diameter, 42±6 mm). Two observers independently assessed the DE-MRI and DE-MRI fused with MRA for visualization of the RF lesion (score 0-2; where 0: not visualized and 2: excellent in all 14 segments of the circular RF lesion).

Results: DE-MRI fused with MRA was successfully performed in all patients. The image quality score was significantly higher in DE-MRI fused with MRA compared to DE-MRI alone (observer 1: 22 (18, 25) vs 28 (28, 28), p<0.001; observer 2: 24 (23, 25) vs 28 (28, 28), p<0.001).

Conclusions: DE-MRI fused with MRA was superior to DE-MRI for visualization of the RF lesion owing to the precise information on LA and PV anatomy provided by DE-MRI.

Citing Articles

Late gadolinium enhancement in areas with electrically fractionated potentials during sinus rhythm in patients with atrial fibrillation.

Suzuki Y, Kiuchi K, Takami M, Imamura K, Sakai J, Nakamura T Heart Vessels. 2025; .

PMID: 39922895 DOI: 10.1007/s00380-025-02515-9.

The impact of the atrial wall thickness in normal/mild late-gadolinium enhancement areas on atrial fibrillation rotors in persistent atrial fibrillation patients.

Nakamura T, Kiuchi K, Fukuzawa K, Takami M, Watanabe Y, Izawa Y J Arrhythm. 2022; 38(2):221-231.

PMID: 35387140 PMC: 8977582. DOI: 10.1002/joa3.12676.

Successful catheter ablation of postoperative atrial tachycardia with conduction disturbances: Assessment by late-gadolinium enhancement magnetic resonance imaging and high-resolution electro-anatomical mapping.

Nakasone K, Kiuchi K, Takami M, Izawa Y, Fukuzawa K, Hirata K Clin Case Rep. 2021; 9(6):e04198.

PMID: 34691467 PMC: 8517805. DOI: 10.1002/ccr3.4198.

Visualization of Inflammation After Cryoballoon Ablation in Atrial Fibrillation Patients　- Protocol for Proof-of-Concept Feasibility Trial.

Kiuchi K, Fukuzawa K, Nogami M, Watanabe Y, Takami M, Mori S Circ Rep. 2021; 1(3):149-152.

PMID: 33693130 PMC: 7890275. DOI: 10.1253/circrep.CR-19-0003.

Visualization of intensive atrial inflammation and fibrosis after cryoballoon ablation: PET/MRI and LGE-MRI analysis.

Kiuchi K, Fukuzawa K, Nogami M, Watanabe Y, Takami M, Izawa Y J Arrhythm. 2021; 37(1):52-59.

PMID: 33664886 PMC: 7896448. DOI: 10.1002/joa3.12454.

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