Dynamic Assessment of the Pulmonary Veins in the Cardiac Cycle of Adults without Heart Disease by Cardiac CT
Abstract Purpose The purpose of this study was to explore the influence of cardiac cycle and the traditional risk factors on the four pulmonary veins (PVs) of adults and to determine the phase for measuring the maximum value of PVs. Methods Cardiac CT was performed in 101 subjects. The diameter, area, cross-sectional angle, and coronal-section angle of four PVs in 10 phase were reconstructed and measured at 10% step from 5%-95% R-R interval. The differences in PVs size and spatial angles in cardiac cycles and the correlation between the indicators of four PVs and traditional risk factors were analized using two-level model. Results All the maximum size values of the four PVs were found in 45%, while the minimum values were found in 5% or 95% of cardiac phases. Gender influenced the size of three PVs—right superior pulmonary vein (RSPV), right inferior pulmonary vein (RIPV), and left inferior pulmonary vein (LSPV). The diameter of the RSPV was small in hypertensive patients and smokers. In addition, the cross-sectional angles of the left superior pulmonary vein (LIPV) changed during cardiac cycles, and age affected these changes. We found no changes in the spatial angles of the RSPV, RIPV, and LSPV, as well as the coronal-section angle of the LIPV. Conclusions PVs ostia size of normal person varies during cardiac phases. Compared with nomal person, AF could affect the cardiac phase in which the maximum and minimum of PVs is, and it may lead to a reduction of the PVs’ size slightly. For life science journals only.