Accuracy of left atrial fibrosis detection with cardiac magnetic resonance: correlation of late gadolinium enhancement with endocardial voltage and conduction velocity.

AIMS: Myocardial fibrosis is a hallmark of atrial fibrillation (AF) and its characterization could be used to guide ablation procedures. Late gadolinium enhanced-magnetic resonance imaging (LGE-MRI) detects areas of atrial fibrosis. However, its accuracy remains controversial. We aimed to analyse the accuracy of LGE-MRI to identify left atrial (LA) arrhythmogenic substrate by analysing voltage and conduction velocity at the areas of LGE. METHODS AND RESULTS: Late gadolinium enhanced-magnetic resonance imaging was performed before ablation in 16 patients. Atrial wall intensity was normalized to blood pool and classified as healthy, interstitial fibrosis, and dense scar tissue depending of the resulting image intensity ratio. Bipolar voltage and local conduction velocity were measured in LA with high-density electroanatomic maps recorded in sinus rhythm and subsequently projected into the LGE-MRI. A semi-automatic, point-by-point correlation was made between LGE-MRI and electroanatomical mapping. Mean bipolar voltage and local velocity progressively decreased from healthy to interstitial fibrosis to scar. There was a significant negative correlation between LGE with voltage (r = -0.39, P < 0.001) and conduction velocity (r = -0.25, P < 0.001). In patients showing dilated atria (LA diameter ≥45 mm) the conduction velocity predictive capacity of LGE-MRI was weaker (r = -0.40 ± 0.09 vs. -0.20 ± 0.13, P = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Areas with higher LGE show lower voltage and slower conduction in sinus rhythm. The enhancement intensity correlates with bipolar voltage and conduction velocity in a point-by-point analysis. The performance of LGE-MRI in assessing local velocity might be reduced in patients with dilated atria (LA diameter ≥45).

Reproducibility and accuracy of late gadolinium enhancement cardiac magnetic resonance measurements for the detection of left atrial fibrosis in patients undergoing atrial fibrillation ablation procedures.

AIMS: Late gadolinium enhancement cardiac magnetic resonance (LGE-CMR) may define left atrial (LA) anatomy and structural remodelling, and facilitate atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation. We aimed to assess the intra- and inter-observer reproducibility and agreement of LGE-CMR parameters with direct application to AF ablation techniques. METHODS AND RESULTS: One experienced and one non-experienced observer performed complete LGE-CMR data analysis twice, on different days, in 40 randomly selected LGE-CMR examinations [20 performed before ablation (pre-ablation) and 20 performed 3 months after ablation (post-ablation)]. Four additional observers (two experienced and two non-experienced) performed complete LGE-CMR data analysis in a subgroup of 30 patients (15 pre-ablation and 15 post-ablation). All LGE-CMR were performed in sinus rhythm. Intra- and inter-observer reproducibility of LA volume, LA area, and sphericity index (SI) was high: coefficient of variation <10% and intraclass correlation coefficient >0.71. Geometric congruency of repeated reconstruction of LA shape was high: maximal error <5 mm for intra-observer and <8 mm for inter-observer. The precision of scar location increased with extent of scar, and was high (Dice coefficient >0.75) when the scar area was >5 cm2 for a single observer and >15 cm2 for multiple observers. Non-experienced observers performed equally well to experienced observers. CONCLUSION: Late gadolinium enhancement cardiac magnetic resonance measurements of LA area, volume, and SI were reproducible, and geometric congruency of LA shape was high. Location of scar was precise for scar areas >5 cm2 for single observers and >15 cm2 for multiple observers, regardless of the observers' experience. These results may serve as a reference for future studies on the role for substrate-based AF ablation procedures.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging-Guided Fibrosis Ablation for the Treatment of Atrial Fibrillation: The ALICIA Trial.

BACKGROUND: Myocardial fibrosis is key for atrial fibrillation maintenance. We aimed to test the efficacy of ablating cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR)-detected atrial fibrosis plus pulmonary vein isolation (PVI). METHODS: This was an open-label, parallel-group, randomized, controlled trial. Patients with symptomatic drug-refractory atrial fibrillation (paroxysmal and persistent) undergoing first or repeat ablation were randomized in a 1:1 basis to receive PVI plus CMR-guided fibrosis ablation (CMR group) or PVI alone (PVI-alone group). The primary end point was the rate of recurrence (>30 seconds) at 12 months of follow-up using a 12-lead ECG and Holter monitoring at 3, 6, and 12 months. The analysis was conducted by intention-to-treat. RESULTS: In total, 155 patients (71% male, age 59±10, CHA2DS2-VASc 1.3±1.1, 54% paroxysmal atrial fibrillation) were allocated to the PVI-alone group (N=76) or CMR group (N=79). First ablation was performed in 80% and 71% of patients in the PVI-alone and CMR groups, respectively. The mean atrial fibrosis burden was 12% (only ≈50% of patients had fibrosis outside the pulmonary vein area). One hundred percent and 99% of patients received the assigned intervention in the PVI-alone and CMR group, respectively. The primary outcome was achieved in 21 patients (27.6%) in the PVI-alone group and 22 patients (27.8%) in the CMR group (odds ratio: 1.01 [95% CI, 0.50-2.04]; P=0.976). There were no differences in the rate of adverse events (3 in the CMR group and 2 in the PVI-alone group; P=0.68). CONCLUSIONS: A pragmatic ablation approach targeting CMR-detected atrial fibrosis plus PVI was not more effective than PVI alone in an unselected population undergoing atrial fibrillation ablation with low fibrosis burden. Registration: URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT02698631.

Delayed Gadolinium Enhancement Magnetic Resonance Imaging Detected Anatomic Gap Length in Wide Circumferential Pulmonary Vein Ablation Lesions Is Associated With Recurrence of Atrial Fibrillation.

BACKGROUND: There is limited knowledge about the impact of anatomic gaps as assessed by delayed gadolinium enhancement cardiac magnetic resonance on atrial fibrillation (AF) recurrence after first pulmonary vein (PV) isolation. METHODS: Consecutive patients underwent delayed gadolinium enhancement cardiac magnetic resonance 3 months after radiofrequency circumferential PV isolation. Delayed gadolinium enhancement cardiac magnetic resonance images were assessed from 360 PV resulting in 2880 segments in the 2×8-segment model from 94 patients (52±11 years, 62% paroxysmal AF). Left atria were segmented using dedicated software. Anatomic gap was defined as discontinuation of the ablation line by ≥3 mm. Relative gap length was calculated as absolute gap length divided by the total length of the ablation line. AF recurrence was assessed after a mean follow-up duration of 15±10 months Results: Mean number of anatomic gaps was 5.4 per patient. Recurrence within the first year of ablation was observed in 21 patients with paroxysmal AF (36%) and 19 patients with persistent AF (53%). In the univariate analysis, CHA2DS2-VASc score, AF type, and relative gap length were predictive of recurrence. In the multivariate analysis, only relative gap length was significantly associated with recurrence (hazard ratio, 1.16 [1.02-1.31] per each 10% of gap). CONCLUSIONS: The total relative gap length but not the number of anatomic gaps in the PV ablation line as assessed by delayed gadolinium enhancement cardiac magnetic resonance was associated with AF recurrence 1 year after first PV isolation. An increase of 10% relative gap length increased the likelihood of AF recurrence by 16%.