scholarly journals A study on pulmonary venous ostia pattern in the left atrium and its clinical applications

2018 ◽  
Vol 7 (04) ◽  
pp. 201-204
Author(s):  
Rajesh S. ◽  
Vijaya Kumar S. ◽  
Manikanda Reddy V.

Abstract Background & aims : Normally four pulmonary veins open into the left atrium. Frequently there are variations in the number of pulmonary veins opening in to the left atrium. Ectopic beats in atrial fibrillation commonly originates from the ostia of the pulmonary veins. The treatment of atrial fibrillation is by radio frequency ablation of the focus of origin and hence the knowledge of anatomical variation of pulmonary veins is necessary to find the ectopic focus in the origin of atrial fibrillation. Materials and Method : In this study the variation of pulmonary venous ostia pattern in the left atrium was studied in 80 formalin fixed adult cadaveric hearts. Results and Conclusion : 63 hearts showed no variation in the pulmonary venous ostia pattem which accounts for 78.75%, rest of the 17 hearts showed variation in the pulmonary venous ostia which accounts for 21.25%, the variation in the number of pulmonary veins was slightly higher for the left side [11.25%] when compared to the right sided variation [ 10%], the number of hearts which showed bilateral variation was noted in 2 hearts - both showed a single pulmonary vein opening on either side which accounts for 2.5%

2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-4 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. S. Rajeshwari ◽  
Priya Ranganath

Pulmonary veins carry oxygenated blood from the lungs to the left atrium. Variations are quite common in the pattern of drainage. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the incidence of different draining patterns of the right pulmonary veins at the hilum by dissecting the human fixed cadaveric lungs. Clinically, pulmonary veins have been demonstrated to often play an important role in generating atrial fibrillation. Hence, it is important to look into the anatomy of the veins during MR imaging and CT angiography. In 53.8% of cases, the right superior lobar vein and right middle lobar vein were found to be united together to form the right superior pulmonary vein. In contrast to this, in 11.53% of cases, right middle lobar vein united with the right inferior lobar vein to form the right inferior pulmonary vein, while in 26.9% of cases, the right superior lobar vein, right middle lobar vein, and right inferior lobar vein drained separately.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yan-Jing Wang ◽  
Huan Sun ◽  
Xiao-Fei Fan ◽  
Meng-Chao Zhang ◽  
Ping Yang ◽  
...  

Abstract Background The ablation targets of atrial fibrillation (AF) are adjacent to bronchi and pulmonary arteries (PAs). We used computed tomography (CT) to evaluate the anatomical correlation between left atrium (LA)-pulmonary vein (PV) and adjacent structures. Methods Data were collected from 126 consecutive patients using coronary artery CT angiography. The LA roof was divided into three layers and nine points. The minimal spatial distances from the nine points and four PV orifices to the adjacent bronchi and PAs were measured. The distances from the PV orifices to the nearest contact points of the PVs, bronchi, and PAs were measured. Results The anterior points of the LA roof were farther to the bronchi than the middle or posterior points. The distances from the nine points to the PAs were shorter than those to the bronchi (5.19 ± 3.33 mm vs 8.62 ± 3.07 mm; P < .001). The bilateral superior PV orifices, especially the right superior PV orifices were closer to the PAs than the inferior PV orifices (left superior PV: 7.59 ± 4.14 mm; right superior PV: 4.43 ± 2.51 mm; left inferior PV: 24.74 ± 5.26 mm; right inferior PV: 22.33 ± 4.75 mm) (P < .001). Conclusions The right superior PV orifices were closer to the bronchi and PAs than other PV orifices. The ablation at the mid-posterior LA roof had a higher possibility to damage bronchi. CT is a feasible method to assess the anatomical adjacency in vivo, which might provide guidance for AF ablation.


Author(s):  
Alan G Dawson ◽  
Cathy J Richards ◽  
Leonidas Hadjinikolaou ◽  
Apostolos Nakas

Abstract Metastatic renal cell carcinoma with involvement through the pulmonary veins to the left atrium is very rare. We report the case of a 70-year-old male with metastatic renal cell carcinoma to the right lower lobe of the lung abutting the inferior pulmonary vein with extension to the left atrium without pre-operative evidence. Surgical resection was achieved through a posterolateral thoracotomy. Lung masses that abut the pulmonary veins should prompt further investigation with a pre-operative transoesophageal echocardiogram to minimize unexpected intraoperative findings.


Heart ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. heartjnl-2021-319334
Author(s):  
Jay Relan ◽  
Saurabh Kumar Gupta ◽  
Rengarajan Rajagopal ◽  
Sivasubramanian Ramakrishnan ◽  
Gurpreet Singh Gulati ◽  
...  

ObjectivesWe sought to clarify the variations in the anatomy of the superior cavoatrial junction and anomalously connected pulmonary veins in patients with superior sinus venosus defects using computed tomographic (CT) angiography.MethodsCT angiograms of 96 consecutive patients known to have superior sinus venosus defects were analysed.ResultsThe median age of the patients was 34.5 years. In seven (7%) patients, the defect showed significant caudal extension, having a supero-inferior dimension greater than 25 mm. All patients had anomalous connection of the right superior pulmonary vein. The right middle and right inferior pulmonary vein were also connected anomalously in 88 (92%) and 17 (18%) patients, respectively. Anomalous connection of the right inferior pulmonary vein was more common in those with significant caudal extension of the defect (57% vs 15%, p=0.005). Among anomalously connected pulmonary veins, the right superior, middle, and inferior pulmonary veins were committed to the left atrium in 6, 17, and 11 patients, respectively. The superior caval vein over-rode the interatrial septum in 67 (70%) patients, with greater than 50% over-ride in 3 patients.ConclusionAnomalous connection of the right-sided pulmonary veins is universal, but is not limited to the right upper lobe. Not all individuals have over-riding of superior caval vein. In a minority of patients, the defect has significant caudal extension, and anomalously connected pulmonary veins are committed to the left atrium. These findings have significant clinical and therapeutic implications.


EP Europace ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
A P Martin ◽  
M Fowler ◽  
N Lever

Abstract Background Pulmonary vein isolation using cryotherapy is an established treatment for the management of patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. Ablation using the commercially available balloon cryocatheter has been shown to create wide antral pulmonary vein isolation. A novel balloon cryocatheter (BCC) has been designed to maintain uniform pressure and size during ablation, potentially improving contact with the antral anatomy. The extent of ablation created using the novel BCC has not previously been established. Purpose To determine the anatomical extent of pulmonary vein isolation using electroanatomical mapping when performing catheter ablation for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation using the novel BCC. Methods Nine consecutive patients underwent pre-procedure computed tomography angiography of the left atrium to quantify the chamber dimensions. An electroanatomical map was created using the cryoablation system mapping catheter and a high definition mapping system. A bipolar voltage map was obtained following ablation to determine the extent of pulmonary vein isolation ablation. A volumetric technique was used to quantify the extent of vein and posterior wall electrical isolation in addition to traditional techniques for proving entrance and exit block. Results All patients had paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, mean age 56 years, 7 (78%) male. Electrical isolation was achieved for 100% of the pulmonary veins; mean total procedure time was 109 min (+/- 26 SD), and fluoroscopy time 14.9 min (+/- 2.4 SD). The median treatment applications per vein was one (range one - four), and median treatment duration 180 sec (range 180 -240). Left atrial volume 32 mL/m2 (+/- 7 SD), and mean left atrial posterior wall area 22 cm2 (+/- 4 SD). Data was available for quantitative assessment of the extent of ablation for eight patients. No lesions (0 of 32) were ostial in nature. The antral surface area of ablation was not statistically different between the left and right sided pulmonary veins (p 0.63), which were 5.9 (1.6 SD) and 5.4 (2.1 SD) cm2 respectively. In total 50% of the posterior left atrial wall was ablated.  Conclusion Pulmonary vein isolation using a novel BCC provides a wide and antral lesion set. There is significant debulking of the posterior wall of the left atrium. Abstract Figure.


2001 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 632-642 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sandra Webb ◽  
Mazyar Kanani ◽  
Robert H. Anderson ◽  
Michael K. Richardson ◽  
Nigel A. Brown

Objective: Using a newly acquired archive of previously prepared material, we sought to re-examine the origin of the pulmonary vein in the human heart, aiming to determine whether it originates from the systemic venous sinus (“sinus venosus”), or appears as a new structure draining to the left atrium. In addition, we examined the temporal sequence of incorporation of the initially solitary pulmonary vein to the stage at which four venous orifices opened to the left atrium. Methods: We studied 26 normal human embryos, ranging from 3.8 mm to 112 mm crown-rump length, and representing the period from the 12th Carnegie stage to 15 weeks of gestation. Results: The pulmonary vein canalised as a solitary vessel within the mediastinal tissues so as to connect the intraparenchymal pulmonary venous networks to the heart, using the regressing dorsal mesocardium as its portal of cardiac entry. The vein was always distinct from the tributaries of the embryonic systemic venous sinus. The orifice of the solitary vein became committed to the left atrium by growth of the vestibular spine. During development, a marked disparity was seen between the temporal and morphological patterns of incorporation of the left-sided and right-sided veins into the left atrium. The pattern of the primary bifurcation was asymmetrical, a much longer tributary being formed on the left than on the right. Contact between the atrial wall and the venous tributary on the left initially produced a shelf, which became effaced with incorporation of the two left-sided veins into the atrium. Conclusions: The initial process of formation of the human pulmonary vein is very similar to that seen in animal models. The walls of the initially solitary vein in humans become incorporated by a morphologically asymmetric process so that four pulmonary veins eventually drain independently into the left atrium. Failure of incorporation on the left side may provide the substrate for congenital division of the left atrium.


Radiographics ◽  
2003 ◽  
Vol 23 (suppl_1) ◽  
pp. S35-S48 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joan M. Lacomis ◽  
William Wigginton ◽  
Carl Fuhrman ◽  
David Schwartzman ◽  
Derek R. Armfield ◽  
...  

Circulation ◽  
2000 ◽  
Vol 101 (11) ◽  
pp. 1274-1281 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wei-Shiang Lin ◽  
V. S. Prakash ◽  
Ching-Tai Tai ◽  
Ming-Hsiung Hsieh ◽  
Chin-Feng Tsai ◽  
...  

Author(s):  
Mithun M. Shenoi ◽  
Xiaoqing Zhang ◽  
Ramji T. Venkatasubramanian ◽  
Erin D. Grassl ◽  
Lenny George ◽  
...  

Over 2 million adults in the United States are affected by atrial fibrillation (AF), a common cardiac arrhythmia that is associated with decreased survival, increased cardiovascular morbidities, and a decrease in quality of life. Atrial fibrillation can be initiated by ectopic beats originating in the myocardial sleeves surrounding the pulmonary veins [1]. Pulmonary vein (PV) isolation via radiofrequency ablation is the current gold standard for treating patients with drug-refractory AF [2]. However, cryoablation is emerging as a new minimally-invasive technique to achieve PV isolation. Cryoablation is fast gaining acceptance due to its minimal tissue disruption, decreased thrombogenicity, and reduced complications (RF can lead to low rate of pulmonary vein stenosis) [2]. One important question in regard to this technology is whether the PV lesion is transmural and circumferential and to what extent adjacent tissues are involved in the freezing process. As ice formation lends itself to image contrast in the body, we hypothesized that intraprocedural CT visualization of the iceball formation would allow us to predict the extent of the cryolesion and/or provide us with a measure of the adjacent tissue damage.


Author(s):  
James S. Gammie ◽  
G Kwame Yankey ◽  
Timothy Nolan ◽  
Z. Jon Wu ◽  
Timm Dickfeld ◽  
...  

Objective Clinical experience with endocardial cryoablation for the surgical treatment of atrial fibrillation has demonstrated safety and efficacy. Direct access to the left atrium via a thoracoscopic or pericardial approach with a balloon-tipped cryoablation catheter might facilitate endocardial cryoablation on the beating heart. We investigated the ability of a novel cryoballoon to produce endocardial pulmonary vein ostial cryolesions on the beating heart in a large-animal model. Methods Six sheep underwent small left thoracotomy. A 10.5F catheter with a 23-mm cryoballoon was inserted directly into the left atrium under fluoroscopic and intracardiac echo (ICE) guidance. Cryoablation of the pulmonary vein ostia was performed. Animals were killed at 14 days. Pulmonary venous electrical isolation was assessed immediately before the animals were killed. Results All animals survived balloon cryoablation with no periprocedural complications. Balloon occlusion was well tolerated hemodynamically, with minimal change in blood pressure (–4 ± 6 mm Hg systolic BP) and no change in heart rate. ICE demonstrated an absence of intracardiac air or ice embolization during ablation. Mean balloon temperature was −67 ± 8°C. All animals were neurologically intact after the procedure. Five of 6 (83%) veins exhibited circumferential exit block. Phrenic nerve function was intact in all animals. On gross inspection, all lesions were circumferential and continuous without evidence of endocardial thrombus. Pathology confirmed circumferential transmurality in all treated veins. Conclusions Direct left atrial access cryoballoon ablation was effective for isolating pulmonary veins. This technology may be an important component of a minimally invasive beating heart CryoMaze procedure for the treatment of atrial fibrillation.


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