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Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance Imaging pp 407–418Cite as

CMR Guidance of RFA to Atrial Arrhythmias

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Part of the book series: Contemporary Cardiology ((CONCARD))

Abstract

Atrial fibrillation is the most common arrhythmia worldwide. This disease is associated with structural, functional, and electrical remodeling of left atrium. The end results of these remodeling are diminishing of atrial myocytes and increasing fibrosis. Recently, novel late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) of the left atrium has been developed to identify fibrosis/disease within left atrial wall. Fibrosis within left atrial wall is associated with stroke, atrial fibrillation recurrence after catheter ablation, and cardiomyopathy. These significant imaging markers allow us to personalize and stratify management for patients with atrial fibrillation. In addition to improving treatment efficacy, cardiac LGE is also helping in the detection of post procedural complications, such as esophageal injury. As a result, LGE has become a crucial imaging tool to assess thromboembolic risks, treatment efficacy, and potential complications associated with AF ablation. In this chapter, we will address the imaging protocol, benefit of magnetic resonance imaging-guided atrial fibrillation therapy, and our personalized management of atrial fibrillation based on LGE findings.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Bangkok Heart Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand

    Leenhapong Navaravong

  2. UnityPoint Clinic – Cardiology, Iowa Methodist Medical Center, Des Moines, IA, USA

    Leenhapong Navaravong

  3. University of Utah School of Medicine, Comprehensive Arrhythmia Research and Management Center, Salt Lake City, UT, USA

    Nassir Marrouche

Authors
  1. Leenhapong Navaravong
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  2. Nassir Marrouche
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Correspondence to Nassir Marrouche .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Cardiovascular Division, Harvard Medical School, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA, USA

    Raymond Y. Kwong

  2. Department of Radiology, Harvard Medical School, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA, USA

    Michael Jerosch-Herold

  3. Department of Cardiac Sciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada

    Bobak Heydari

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Navaravong, L., Marrouche, N. (2019). CMR Guidance of RFA to Atrial Arrhythmias. In: Kwong, R., Jerosch-Herold, M., Heydari, B. (eds) Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance Imaging. Contemporary Cardiology. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-8841-9_22

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-8841-9_22

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  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4939-8841-9

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