scholarly journals Coronary calcification by computed tomography in patients with paroxysmal and persistent atrial fibrillation undergoing catheter ablation

2021 ◽  
Vol 42 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
S Fernandes ◽  
R Ladeiras-Lopes ◽  
R Faria ◽  
W Ferreira ◽  
M Carvalho ◽  
...  

Abstract Introduction Cardiac computed tomography (CCT) is routinely performed for pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) planning in patients with paroxysmal or persistent atrial fibrillation (AF). This imaging method can also identify coronary artery calcium (CAC). Purpose To evaluate the prevalence of CAC in patients with paroxysmal and persistent AF undergoing catheter ablation. Methods Cross-sectional study including patients with AF/atrial flutter (AFL) undergoing CCT for ablation procedure planning from 2017 to 2019. Baseline clinical and demographic data were collected and CAC score was assessed using the Agatston method. Patients with paroxysmal and persistent AF/AFL (defined according to 2020 European Society of Cardiology guidelines for the diagnosis and management of AF) were compared. Results A total of 474 patients were included (441 with AF and 33 with AFL), with a mean age of 57±12 years, of which 295 (62%) were males. CHA2DS2-VASc score was ≥1 (male) or ≥2 (female) in 278 (64%) patients and most patients had a low to moderate cardiovascular risk (259, 80%). CAC was identified in 254 (54%) patients. AF/AFL was paroxysmal in 348 (75%) patients and persistent in 116 (25%). Baseline characteristics and cardiovascular risk factors were similar between groups except for diabetes mellitus (33 [10%] vs 22 [20%], p=0.012) and valvular heart disease (13 [4%] vs 18 [16%], p<0.001) that were more prevalent in patients with persistent AF/AFL. Patients with persistent AF/AFL had higher left atrial volume and left ventricle mass (36±8 vs 43±12 ml/m2, p<0.001 and 90±22 vs 96±22 g/m2, p=0.041). CAC was more frequently present in patients with persistent AF/AFL (175 [50%] vs 72 [62%], p=0.028), especially CAC score >100 (58 [17%] vs 35 [30%], p=0.002). After multivariate analysis, CAC score>100 remained an independent predictor of persistent AF/AFL (OR 2.12, 95% CI 1.18–3.82, p=0.013) along with higher left atrial volume (OR 1.06, 95% CI 1.03–1.08, p<0.001). Conclusion In this study, coronary artery calcium was present in more than half of AF/FLA patients undergoing catheter ablation. Patients with persistent AF/AFL showed higher calcium scores and this could derive from chronic, more advanced disease. Especially in those patients, opportunistic CV risk screening and CAC-guided clinical management might be clinically useful. FUNDunding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: None.

2020 ◽  
Vol 47 (2) ◽  
pp. 78-85
Author(s):  
Kazuhiro Osawa ◽  
Rine Nakanishi ◽  
Indre Ceponiene ◽  
Negin Nezarat ◽  
William J. French ◽  
...  

Assessing thromboembolic risk is crucial for proper management of patients with atrial fibrillation. Left atrial volume is a promising predictor of cardiac thrombosis. To determine whether left atrial volume can predict left atrial appendage thrombus in patients with atrial fibrillation, we conducted a prospective study of 73 patients. Left atrial and ventricular volumes were evaluated by cardiac computed tomography with retrospective electrocardiographic gating and then indexed to body surface area. Left atrial appendage thrombus was confirmed or excluded by cardiac computed tomography with delayed enhancement. Seven patients (9.6%) had left atrial appendage thrombus; 66 (90.4%) did not. Those with thrombus had a significantly higher mean left atrial end-systolic volume index (139 ± 55 vs 101 ± 35 mL/m2; P =0.0097) and mean left atrial end-diastolic volume index (122 ± 45 vs 84 ± 34 mL/m2; P =0.0077). On multivariate logistic regression analysis, left atrial end-systolic volume index (per 10 mL/m2 increase) was significantly associated with left atrial appendage thrombus (odds ratio [OR]=1.24; 95% CI, 1.03–1.50; P =0.02); so too was the left atrial end-diastolic volume index (per 10 mL/m2 increase) (OR=1.29; 95% CI, 1.05–1.60; P =0.02). These findings suggest that increased left atrial volume increases the risk of left atrial appendage thrombus. Therefore, patients with atrial fibrillation and an enlarged left atrium should be considered for cardiac computed tomography with delayed enhancement to confirm whether thrombus is present.


Circulation ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 142 (Suppl_3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark S Brahier ◽  
Fengwei Zou ◽  
Frank Migliarese ◽  
Milos Tomovic ◽  
Alexandra Taylor ◽  
...  

Background: Identifying factors predictive of atrial fibrillation (AF) recurrence after catheter ablation (CA) can improve patient selection. It has been hypothesized that inflammatory paracrine signaling by metabolically active adipose tissue induces pathologic changes in surrounding cardiovascular tissue. In fact, fat attenuation on CT has been previously associated with AF recurrence after de novo CA. The purpose of this study was to investigate the predictive qualities of epicardial and peri-atrial adipose tissue in a population undergoing repeat CA. We hypothesized that higher epicardial and left peri-atrial fat attenuation would predict recurrence as markers of increased localized inflammation. Methods: The study population consisted of 84 patients with symptomatic, drug and ablation-refractory AF undergoing repeat CA. All patients had a pre-ablation, contrast-enhanced cardiac CT, which was analyzed for mean fat attenuation in Hounsfield units (HU) and left atrial volume using the post-processing program 3D Slicer. Patients were followed for recurrence of atrial tachyarrhythmias after a 3-month blanking period. We performed logistic regression to adjust for age, sex, BMI, hypertension, smoking history, diabetes, obstructive sleep apnea, and left atrial volume index. Results: Repeat CA patients with recurrence (n=52) had a higher epicardial fat attenuation (-84.8 ±5.6 vs -88.1 ±5.2 HU; p=0.009) and peri-atrial fat attenuation (-81.0 ±4.7 vs -83.2 ±4.3 HU; p=0.036) than those without recurrence (n=32) at a mean follow-up period of 26 ±18 months. Logistic regression analysis showed that epicardial fat attenuation (OR 1.21; p=0.005) and peri-atrial fat attenuation (OR 1.27; p=0.007) are predictive of AF recurrence independent of traditional risk factors. Conclusions: Epicardial and left peri-atrial adipose attenuation are predictive of recurrence in patients undergoing repeat CA for AF.


2018 ◽  
Vol 29 (5) ◽  
pp. 740-746 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dennis W. den Uijl ◽  
Nuno Cabanelas ◽  
Eva M. Benito ◽  
Rosa Figueras ◽  
Francisco Alarcón ◽  
...  

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