Arrhythmia recurrence after atrial fibrillation ablation: can magnetic resonance imaging identify gaps in atrial ablation lines?

J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol. 2008 Apr;19(4):434-7. doi: 10.1111/j.1540-8167.2007.01055.x. Epub 2007 Dec 20.

Abstract

After pulmonary vein isolation for the treatment of atrial fibrillation, clinical arrhythmia recurrence is often a result of vein reconnection. By selectively visualizing scarred tissue, delayed enhancement magnetic resonance imaging may provide for a noninvasive means to identify gaps in radiofrequency ablation lines. This report correlates three-dimensional magnetic resonance imaging with invasive electro-anatomical mapping in a patient with recurrent atrial arrhythmia after multiple unsuccessful ablations for atrial fibrillation.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Atrial Fibrillation / diagnosis*
  • Atrial Fibrillation / surgery*
  • Catheter Ablation / methods*
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging / methods*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Outcome Assessment, Health Care / methods*
  • Prognosis
  • Secondary Prevention
  • Treatment Failure
  • Treatment Outcome