T2-Weighted Imaging of the Left Atrium Acutely After Pulmonary Vein Isolation Demonstrates Wall Thickening and Edema.

Dana C. Peters¹, Jeff Hsing¹, Kraig V. Kissinger¹, Beth Goddu¹, Reza Nezafat¹, Jason E. Taclas¹, Mark E. Josephson¹, John V. Wylie¹, Warren J. Manning¹

Radio frequency (RF) ablation of the left atrium (LA) to treat atrial fibrillation has a 65-80% success rate. In order to understand the acute effects of pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) in treatment of AF, the RF ablations were imaged acutely (1 day following PVI) in five patients and two healthy subjects, who served as controls. The T2-weighted sequence to visualize edema in the LA was optimized. TE values, breath-holding vs. free-breathing, and fat-suppression methods were compared. We found evidence of thickened LA wall with increased T2. This study is an important step in anatomically asessing the completeness of PVI, in the acute stage.