Published online before print December 9, 2002, doi: 10.1161/01.CIR.0000047065.49852.8F
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(Circulation. 2003;107:21.)
© 2003 American Heart Association, Inc.
Brief Rapid Communications |
Pulmonary Vein Ostium Geometry
Analysis by Magnetic Resonance Angiography
From the Department of Cardiology, Heart Lung Center Utrecht (F.H.M.W., R.D., P.L., E.F.D.W., L.V.A.B., B.J.R., M.-J.C.), and Department of Radiology, University Medical Center Utrecht (E.-J.V., B.V.), Utrecht, The Netherlands.
Correspondence to Fred Wittkampf, University Medical Center E03-406, PO Box 85500, 3508 GA, Utrecht, The Netherlands. E-mail fredwittkampf{at}mac.com
 |
Abstract |
|---|
 Top Abstract IntroductionMethodsResultsDiscussionReferences |
|---|
Background— During a catheter ablation procedure for selective electrical isolation of pulmonary vein (PV) ostia, the size of these ostia is usually estimated using fluoroscopic angiography. This measurement may be misleading, however, because only the projected supero/inferior ostium diameters can be measured. In this study, we analyzed 3-dimensional magnetic resonance angiographic (MRA) images to measure the minimal and maximal cross-sectional diameter of PV ostia in relation to the diameter that would have been projected on fluoroscopic angiograms during a catheter ablation procedure.
Methods and Results— In 42 patients with idiopathic atrial fibrillation who were scheduled for selective electrical isolation of PV ostia, the minimal and maximal diameters of these ostia were measured from 3-dimensional MRA images. Thereafter, these images were oriented in a 45° right or left anterior oblique direction and the projected diameter of the PV ostia were measured again. The average ratio between maximal and minimal diameter was 1.5±0.4 for the left and 1.2±0.1 for the right pulmonary vein ostia. Because of the orientation and oval shape of especially the left pulmonary vein ostia, their minimal diameters were significantly smaller than the projected diameters.
Conclusion— Pulmonary vein ostia, especially those at the left, are oval with the short axis oriented approximately in the antero/posterior direction. Consequently, PV ostia may sometimes be very narrow despite a rather normal appearance on angiographic images obtained during a catheter ablation procedure.
Key Words: fibrillation • atrium • veins • magnetic resonance imaging • catheter ablation
|
Introduction |
|---|
|
TopAbstractIntroductionMethodsResultsDiscussionReferences |
|---|
Sleeves of atrial myocardium extending 1 to 2 cm into the pulmonary vein (PV) ostia can be part of the arrhythmogenic substrate responsible for initiation and/or perpetuation of idiopathic atrial fibrillation.1–3 Therefore, electrical isolation of these ostia by catheter ablation is presently used as a treatment modality for patients with this problem. This isolation can be achieved by discrete lesions at the rim of the ostium, guided by perimetric mapping with a multipolar loop catheter like the Lasso (Biosense Webster, Inc) or by lesions in the left atrium encircling multiple PV ostia.1,4
The size of PV ostia is an important factor in selecting the optimal Lasso diameter, and larger PV ostia may more often be arrhythmogenic.5 Additionally, isolation of smaller ostia may have to be performed more carefully.6 Therefore, PV angiography is usually performed at the beginning of the procedure to determine the position and size of the PV ostia. Estimation of the PV ostium size may be inaccurate, however, not only because of the lack of sufficiently accurate calipers in standard angiographic images, but also because only the projected diameter can be measured.
The aim of this study was to analyze by 3-dimensional magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) the cross-sectional dimensions of PV ostia in patients with idiopathic atrial fibrillation who were scheduled for catheter ablation and to compare these data with the diameters that would have been projected on anterior angiographic images.
|
Methods |
|---|
|
TopAbstractIntroductionMethodsResultsDiscussionReferences |
|---|
In 42 consecutive patients with idiopathic paroxysmal atrial fibrillation who were scheduled for catheter ablation, gadolinium enhanced MRA of the left atrium was performed. At first, all structures that hindered a clear view of the PV ostia, including arteries, PV branches, and anterior part of left atrium, were erased from the 3-dimensional image using advanced image processing techniques (Vitrea, Vital Images Inc). The minimal and maximal diameters of each ostium were then measured semi-automatically by recognition of the outer borders of the image along a line drawn by the operator through the center and at the level of the ostium. Thereafter, the same MRA image was also used to simulate angiographic projections during a catheter ablation procedure. The image was rotated to a 45° right anterior oblique (RAO) or left anterior oblique (LAO) view angle, and the projection that gave the best view on the ostium was used to measure its diameter at the same level where the minimal and maximal diameters had been measured. These data thus allowed for comparison between minimal and maximal PV ostium diameters and the diameter that corresponds to angiographic projections used during a catheter ablation procedure.
Statistical Analysis
Quantitative data are expressed as mean±SD. One way ANOVA (F-test) was used to analyze differences among the 4 PV groups, whereas the Scheffé method was used for post hoc examination of the differences between individual and combinations of PV groups.7 For the ovality (ratio) values, both methods were applied after logarithmic transformation of the data to reduce the differences in variances between the 4 PV groups. P<0.05 was considered significant.
|
Results |
|---|
|
TopAbstractIntroductionMethodsResultsDiscussionReferences |
|---|
In 42 patients, a total of 38 left superior, 38 left inferior, 42 right superior, and 42 right inferior ostia were analyzed. Four patients had a common left ostium, whereas 4 others had a right middle PV.
Figure 1 shows left atrial images of one of the patients. The posterior MRA projection shows apparently normal diameters for both left PV ostia. The caudal MRA projection, however, clearly demonstrates that the left inferior PV ostium is remarkably narrow in the antero/posterior direction. The LAO angiogram, obtained at the beginning of the ablation procedure, again suggests a normal left inferior ostium.
|
Data of all PVs are summarized in the Table. The ratio between maximal and minimal diameter, a measure of the ovality the ostia, was 1.4±0.4 for the left superior, 1.5±0.4 for the left inferior, 1.2±0.1 for the right superior, and 1.2±0.2 for the right inferior PV (Table). The overall F test showed that these values differed significantly among the 4 PV groups (P<0.005). The Scheffé analysis resulted in a highly significant difference between right and left PVs (P<0.005); differences between ipsilateral PVs were not significant.
|
With an oval ostium, the minimal cross-sectional diameter can only be equal to or smaller than the projected diameter. For the fairly circular right PV ostia, the average difference between projected and minimal ostium diameter was only 1.6±1.6 mm for the superior and 1.8±2.3 mm for the inferior ostium (Figure 2). For the less circular left PV ostia, the average difference between minimal and projected ostium diameters was 3.6±3.4 mm for the superior and 3.7±2.8 mm for the inferior ostia (Figure 2). Again the differences among the 4 PV groups were only caused by differences between right and left PV ostia (P<0.005). For only 2 right superior and 5 right inferior PV ostia, the minimal diameter was more than 5 mm smaller than the projected diameter. This was also the case for 11 left superior and 8 left inferior ostia. For 3 of these left ostia, this difference was more than 10 mm. Four left superior, 11 left inferior, and 2 right inferior PVs had a minimal ostium diameter <10 mm.
|
|
Discussion |
|---|
|
TopAbstractIntroductionMethodsResultsDiscussionReferences |
|---|
In the absence of clear markers indicating specific PVs as targets, large PV ostia are often considered to be main targets. With selective isolation of PV ostia, the dimensions of the ostia are also important for choosing the optimal Lasso size. Last but not least, ostium size may relate to the risk of PV stenosis caused by catheter ablation. Isolation of small ostia may have to be performed outside the rim of the ostium to avoid PV stenosis.4
The present study demonstrates that contrast angiography can be misleading; anterior projections only show the supero/inferior PV ostium diameter. Most PV ostia, and especially those at the left, are oval, with an average long/short axis ratio of 1.5±0.4. Their short axis is oriented approximately in the antero/posterior direction and is not visualized with angiography. Because of their more circular shape, estimation of the right-sided PV ostium diameters from anterior projections is less inaccurate. When catheter ablation has caused edema or stenosis in anterior or posterior sections of the ostia, however, this may also remain undetectable with anterior projections. An oval shaped ostium may also affect the position and stability of a circular Lasso type catheter because it may tend to orient itself in a canted position and cause a misleading activation sequence.
Other investigators have also studied the size and anatomy of PV ostia, but they ignore the possibility of an oval shape by reporting only single values for ostium diameters, ranging from approximately 14 mm for both superior ostia to approximately 8 mm for both inferior ostia.3,5 When measured with transesophageal echocardiography at a depth of 1.5 to 2 cm from the ostium, the diameters of the right and left superior PVs were only approximately 1.1 cm.6 The dimensions measured in our study are substantially larger, and we cannot explain this discrepancy. Our most frequently used Lasso size was 20 mm, which confirmed the MRA data.
Limitations
The true and projected ostium dimensions were only measured from MRA images. Angiographic measurements would have introduced extra inaccuracies, and it would have been almost impossible to measure at exactly the same location as where the MRA measurements had been performed. In this study, we compared MRA data with 45° RAO and LAO projections. Other angulations like 0, 30, or 60 degrees could have resulted in slightly different projected diameters, but the minimal diameter, approximately oriented in the antero/posterior direction, would still remain invisible.
This study describes the geometry of PV ostia and the limitation of fluoroscopic angiography. All MRA images were available during the mapping-guided ablation procedure and facilitated PV angiography, selection of the optimal Lasso catheter size, and recognition of proximal PV branches that might complicate electrical isolation. Radiofrequency applications in very narrow ostia (minimal diameter <10 mm) were avoided to limit the risk of PV stenosis. The benefits of MRA before the ablation procedure should, however, be analyzed in a prospective randomized study.
Conclusions
Left PV ostia are oval, with a mean ratio between maximal and minimal diameter of 1.5±0.4 and a short axis oriented approximately in the antero/posterior direction. Right-sided PV ostia are more circular, with a mean ratio value of 1.2±0.1. Consequently, PV ostia may sometimes be very narrow despite a rather normal appearance on venograms obtained during a catheter ablation procedure. True ostium dimensions can only be measured with 3-dimensional imaging techniques like MRA or computer tomography.
Received September 9, 2002; revision received October 29, 2002; accepted October 30, 2002.
|
References |
|---|
|
TopAbstractIntroductionMethodsResultsDiscussionReferences |
|---|
1. Haïssaguerre M, Shah DC, Jaïs P, et al. Electrophysiological breakthroughs from left atrium to the pulmonary veins. Circulation. 2000; 102: 2463–2465.
2. Saito T, Waki K, Becker AE. Left atrial myocardial extension onto pulmonary veins in humans: anatomical observations relevant for atrial arrhythmias. J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol. 2000; 11: 888–894.[Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]
3. Ho SY, Cabrera JA, Tran VH, et al. Architecture of the pulmonary veins: relevance to radiofrequency ablation. Heart. 2001; 86: 265–270.
4. Pappone C, Rosanio S, Oreto G, et al. Circumferential radiofrequency ablation of pulmonary vein ostia: a new anatomical approach for curing atrial fibrillation. Circulation. 2000; 102: 2619–2628.
5. Lin WS, Prakash VS, Tai CT, et al. Pulmonary vein morphology in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation initiated by ectopic beats originating from the pulmonary veins: implications for catheter ablation. Circulation. 2000; 101: 1274–1281.
6. Yu WC, Hsu TL, Tai CT, et al. Acquired pulmonary vein stenosis after radiofrequency ablation of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol. 2001; 12: 887–892.[CrossRef][Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]
7. Mattson DE. Statistics. Revised ed. Oak Park, Ill: Bolchazy-Carducci Publishers Inc; 1986: 213–218.
This article has been cited by other articles:
 |
|
 |
|
  V. Y. Reddy, P. Neuzil, S. Themistoclakis, S. B. Danik, A. Bonso, A. Rossillo, A. Raviele, R. Schweikert, S. Ernst, K.-H. Kuck, et al. Visually-Guided Balloon Catheter Ablation of Atrial Fibrillation: Experimental Feasibility and First-in-Human Multicenter Clinical Outcome Circulation, July 7, 2009; 120(1): 12 - 20. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 C. J. Francois, D. Tuite, V. Deshpande, R. Jerecic, P. Weale, and J. C. Carr Pulmonary Vein Imaging with Unenhanced Three-dimensional Balanced Steady-State Free Precession MR Angiography: Initial Clinical Evaluation Radiology, March 1, 2009; 250(3): 932 - 939. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 T. H. Hauser, D. C. Peters, J. V. Wylie, and W. J. Manning Evaluating the left atrium by magnetic resonance imaging Europace, November 1, 2008; 10(suppl_3): iii22 - iii27. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
H. Niinuma, R. T. George, A. Arbab-Zadeh, J. A.C. Lima, and C. A. Henrikson Imaging of pulmonary veins during catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation: the role of multi-slice computed tomography Europace, November 1, 2008; 10(suppl_3): iii14 - iii21. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 X. Huang, Y. Huang, T. Huang, W. Huang, and Z. Huang Individual pulmonary vein imaging by transthoracic echocardiography: an inadequate traditional interpretation Eur J Echocardiogr, September 1, 2008; 9(5): 655 - 660. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
C. Schneider, S. Ernst, E. Bahlmann, R. Malisius, U. Krumsdorf, S. Boczor, F. Lampe, M. Hoffmann-Riem, K.-H. Kuck, and M. Antz Transesophageal echocardiography: A screening method for pulmonary vein stenosis after catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation Eur J Echocardiogr, December 1, 2006; 7(6): 447 - 456. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 O. M. Wazni, H.-M. Tsao, S.-A. Chen, H.-H. Chuang, W. Saliba, A. Natale, and A. L. Klein Cardiovascular Imaging in the Management of Atrial Fibrillation J. Am. Coll. Cardiol., November 21, 2006; 48(10): 2077 - 2084. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
N. R. Van de Veire, J. D. Schuijf, J. De Sutter, D. Devos, G. B. Bleeker, A. de Roos, E. E. van der Wall, M. J. Schalij, and J. J. Bax Non-Invasive Visualization of the Cardiac Venous System in Coronary Artery Disease Patients Using 64-Slice Computed Tomography J. Am. Coll. Cardiol., November 7, 2006; 48(9): 1832 - 1838. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
P. H. van der Voort, H. van den Bosch, J. C. Post, and A. Meijer Determination of the spatial orientation and shape of pulmonary vein ostia by contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance angiography. Europace, January 1, 2006; 8(1): 1 - 6. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
J. Ector, S. De Buck, J. Adams, S. Dymarkowski, J. Bogaert, F. Maes, and H. Heidbuchel Cardiac Three-Dimensional Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Fluoroscopy Merging: A New Approach for Electroanatomic Mapping to Assist Catheter Ablation Circulation, December 13, 2005; 112(24): 3769 - 3776. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
Y.-H. Kim, E. M. Marom, J. E. Herndon II, and H. P. McAdams Pulmonary Vein Diameter, Cross-sectional Area, and Shape: CT Analysis Radiology, April 1, 2005; 235(1): 43 - 49. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
M. R.M. Jongbloed, H. J. Lamb, J. J. Bax, J. D. Schuijf, A. de Roos, E. E. van der Wall, and M. J. Schalij Noninvasive visualization of the cardiac venous system using multislice computed tomography J. Am. Coll. Cardiol., March 1, 2005; 45(5): 749 - 753. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
M. R. M. Jongbloed, M. S. Dirksen, J. J. Bax, E. Boersma, K. Geleijns, H. J. Lamb, E. E. van der Wall, A. de Roos, and M. J. Schalij Atrial Fibrillation: Multi-Detector Row CT of Pulmonary Vein Anatomy prior to Radiofrequency Catheter Ablation--Initial Experience Radiology, March 1, 2005; 234(3): 702 - 709. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
M. R.M. Jongbloed, J. J. Bax, H. J. Lamb, M. S. Dirksen, K. Zeppenfeld, E. E. van der Wall, A. de Roos, and M. J. Schalij Multislice computed tomography versus intracardiac echocardiography to evaluate the pulmonary veins before radiofrequency catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation: A head-to-head comparison J. Am. Coll. Cardiol., February 1, 2005; 45(3): 343 - 350. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 A. W. Bowman and S. J. Kovacs Prediction and assessment of the time-varying effective pulmonary vein area via cardiac MRI and Doppler echocardiography Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol, January 1, 2005; 288(1): H280 - H286. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
D. Katritsis, K. A. Ellenbogen, and A. J. Camm Recurrence of left atrium-pulmonary vein conduction following successful disconnection in asymptomatic patients Europace, January 1, 2004; 6(5): 425 - 432. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 B. Ghaye, D. Szapiro, J.-N. Dacher, L.-M. Rodriguez, C. Timmermans, D. Devillers, and R. F. Dondelinger Percutaneous Ablation for Atrial Fibrillation: The Role of Cross-sectional Imaging RadioGraphics, October 1, 2003; 23(90001): S19 - 33. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||