Multi-slice spiral CT evaluation on function of left atrium and left atrial appendage in patients with different subtypes of atrial fibrillation / 中国医学影像技术

ABSTRACT

Objective:To explore the function of left atrium (LA) and left atrial appendage (LAA) in different subtypes of atrial fibrillation (AF) based on quantitative measurement using multi-slice spiral CT. Methods: Totally 71 AF patients were enrolled, including 40 with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF group) and 31 with persistent atrial fibrillation (PeAF group). The maximum volume of LAA (LAAVmax), the minimum volume of LAA (LAAVmin), the maximum volume of LA (LAVmax) and the minimum volume of LA (LAVmin) were measured using cardiac function post-processing software, and LAA ejection fraction (LAAEF), LAA ejection volume (LAAEV), LA ejection fraction (LAEF) and LA ejection volume (LAEV) were calculated. Results: LAAEF, LAEF and LAEV in PeAF group were less than those in PAF group (all P<0.01), while LAAVmax, LAAVmin, LAVmax and LAVmin in PeAF group were all larger than those in PAF group (all P<0.05). There was no significant difference of LAAEV between the 2 groups (P=0.23). LAAEF was positively correlated with LAEF in AF patients (rs=0.57, P<0.01), and negatively correlated with duration of atrial fibrillation (rs=-0.26, P=0.03). Conclusion: Multi-slice spiral CT can be used to objectively evaluate the function of LA and LAA.It has important clinical significance for understanding the functional changes of LA and LAA in different subtypes of AF.