Visualizing radiofrequency lesions using delayed-enhancement magnetic resonance imaging in patients with atrial fibrillation: A modification of the method used by the University of Utah group.

Journal of arrhythmia · 2015 · Unclear · Low evidence

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UnclearLow evidencePaper 3004

DE-MRI was performed in 15 post-ablation AF patients; 3/15 images were uninterpretable due to low image quality. RF lesions were visualized in 8 of 12 interpretable cases (67%).

Study snapshot

PublicationJournal of arrhythmia · 2015

Study typeother

Reported directionUnclear

Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Atrial tissue fibrosis has previously been identified using delayed-enhancement MRI (DE-MRI) in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). Although the clinical importance of DE-MRI is well recognized, the visualization of atrial fibrosis and radiofrequency (RF) lesions has still not been achieved in Japan, primarily because of the differences in contrast agents, volume-rendering tools, and technical experience. The objective of this study was to visualize RF lesions by using commercially available tools. METHODS: DE-MRI was performed in 15 patients who had undergone AF ablation (age, 59±4 years, left atrium diameter, 40±2 mm). Specific parameters for MR scanning obtained from previous reports were modified. RESULTS: Of the 15 images, the images of three patients were uninterpretable owing to low image quality. RF lesions could be visualized in 8 (67%) of the 12 patients. CONCLUSIONS: In the current study, we successfully demonstrated that RF lesions could be visualized in Japanese patients using DE-MRI, although only commercially available tools were used.

Machine Enhanced Logic

AI evidence extraction

Structured fields below were generated from the paper’s abstract and metadata to make the evidence easier to inspect. Automated extraction may be incomplete or incorrect; verify important details against the original paper.

Study typeother

Effect directionunclear

PopulationPatients with atrial fibrillation who had undergone AF ablation (Japan)

Sample size15

ExposureNot supplied

Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 74% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

DE-MRI was performed in 15 post-ablation AF patients; 3/15 images were uninterpretable due to low image quality. RF lesions were visualized in 8 of 12 interpretable cases (67%).

Outcomes measured

Ability to visualize radiofrequency (RF) ablation lesions using delayed-enhancement MRI (DE-MRI)
Image interpretability/quality

Limitations

Small sample size (n=15)
3/15 scans uninterpretable due to low image quality

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "other",
  "exposure": {
    "band": null,
    "source": "radiofrequency ablation (cardiac)",
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": null
  },
  "population": "Patients with atrial fibrillation who had undergone AF ablation (Japan)",
  "sample_size": 15,
  "outcomes": [
    "Ability to visualize radiofrequency (RF) ablation lesions using delayed-enhancement MRI (DE-MRI)",
    "Image interpretability/quality"
  ],
  "main_findings": "DE-MRI was performed in 15 post-ablation AF patients; 3/15 images were uninterpretable due to low image quality. RF lesions were visualized in 8 of 12 interpretable cases (67%).",
  "effect_direction": "unclear",
  "limitations": [
    "Small sample size (n=15)",
    "3/15 scans uninterpretable due to low image quality"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.74,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "atrial fibrillation",
    "delayed-enhancement MRI",
    "DE-MRI",
    "radiofrequency ablation",
    "lesion visualization",
    "image quality"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": []
}

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AI-extracted fields are generated from the abstract and metadata and may be incomplete or incorrect. This material is for informational purposes and is not medical advice.

Identifiers and source

DOI: 10.1016/j.joa.2014.06.005
PubMed: 26336534

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