Detection of left atrial scar and changes of cardiac function in relation to AF ablation, by 3D late gadolinium enhancement

Background Atrial Fibrillation (AF) is the most common arrhythmia in clinical practice; cathete ra blation (AFCA) is aw idespread treatment. Determinants of AFCA success and post-AFCA left atrial remodeling are poorly understood. Delayed Enhancement Cardiac Magnetic Resonance (DE-CMR) has been used to image LA scar post-AFCA and its relation to ablation outcome. Here we explored the role of postablation LA scar in subsequent cardiac remodeling. Methods We correlated post AFCA scar with cardiac volumes and function including LA volume, LV ejection fraction (LVEF), and LV cardiac output (LVCO). In a retrospective analysis, we identified 46 patients who underwent AFCA -pulmonary vein antral isolation in whom DE-CMR was obtained before and after AFCA (174 ± 160 days postablation). In 20 patients, a repeat AFCA procedure was performed due to recurrent AF. DE-CMR procedure was performed utilizing a navigated 3D inversion recovery gradient echo sequence (Siemens 1.5T Avanto or 3.0T Verio) approximately 15 minutes after administration of 0.2 mmol/kg Gadolinium (Magnevist). Scans were ECG-gated and acquired during a 150 ms window in mid-diastole with navigator-gating and fat suppression. We have developed an image analysis method and graphical user interface (GUI) to semi-automatically quantify hyperenhanced regions (scar) in the entire LA wall. Scar was quantified semi-automatically as fraction of LA contour in every slice from base to roof. STATA/IC 13.0 was used for statistical analysis. Two-way Interclass Correlation (ICC) for rater agreement was tested for LA perimeter and LA scar detection between two independent readers for 40 MRI slices. Variable normality was assessed with the Shapiro-Wilk test. The Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to determine statistical significance between non-parametric variables in pre and post AFCA. Results ICC indicates similarity between observers in both LA Perimeter (ICC: 0.785, CI: 0.59-0.886, p < 0.05) and LA Scar (ICC: 0.609, CI: -0.14-0.844, p < 0.05). The extent of LA Scar was higher in postablation (Median: 8.62, IQR: 5.43-16.4) DE-CMR compared to baseline