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Hopman LHGA, van Pouderoijen N, Mulder MJ, van der Laan AM, Bhagirath P, Nazarian S, Niessen HWM, Ferrari VA, Allaart CP, Götte MJW. Atrial Ablation Lesion Evaluation by Cardiac Magnetic Resonance: Review of Imaging Strategies and Histological Correlations. JACC Clin Electrophysiol 2023; 9:2665-2679. [PMID: 37737780 DOI: 10.1016/j.jacep.2023.08.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2023] [Accepted: 08/09/2023] [Indexed: 09/23/2023]
Abstract
Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging is a valuable noninvasive tool for evaluating tissue response following catheter ablation of atrial tissue. This review provides an overview of the contemporary CMR strategies to visualize atrial ablation lesions in both the acute and chronic postablation stages, focusing on their strengths and limitations. Moreover, the accuracy of CMR imaging in comparison to atrial lesion histology is discussed. T2-weighted CMR imaging is sensitive to edema and tends to overestimate lesion size in the acute stage after ablation. Noncontrast agent-enhanced T1-weighted CMR imaging has the potential to provide more accurate assessment of lesions in the acute stage but may not be as effective in the chronic stage. Late gadolinium enhancement imaging can be used to detect chronic atrial scarring, which may inform repeat ablation strategies. Moreover, novel imaging strategies are being developed, but their efficacy in characterizing atrial lesions is yet to be determined. Overall, CMR imaging has the potential to provide virtual histology that aids in evaluating the efficacy and safety of catheter ablation and monitoring of postprocedural myocardial changes. However, technical factors, scanning during arrhythmia, and transmurality assessment pose challenges. Therefore, further research is needed to develop CMR strategies to visualize the ablation lesion maturation process more effectively.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Mark J Mulder
- Department of Cardiology, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | | | - Pranav Bhagirath
- Department of Cardiology, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Saman Nazarian
- Penn Cardiovascular Institute, Penn Heart and Vascular Center, Perelman Center for Advanced Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Hans W M Niessen
- Department of Pathology, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Victor A Ferrari
- Penn Cardiovascular Institute, Penn Heart and Vascular Center, Perelman Center for Advanced Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | | | - Marco J W Götte
- Department of Cardiology, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
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2
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Allen JJ, Keegan J, Mathew G, Conway M, Jenkins S, Pennell DJ, Nielles-Vallespin S, Gatehouse P, Babu-Narayan SV. Fully-modelled blood-focused variable inversion times for 3D late gadolinium-enhanced imaging. Magn Reson Imaging 2023; 98:44-54. [PMID: 36581215 DOI: 10.1016/j.mri.2022.12.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2022] [Revised: 12/20/2022] [Accepted: 12/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Variable heart rate during single-cycle inversion-recovery Late Gadolinium-Enhanced (LGE) scanning degrades image quality, which can be mitigated using Variable Inversion Times (VTIs) in real-time response to R-R interval changes. We investigate in vivo and in simulations an extension of a single-cycle VTI method previously applied in 3D LGE imaging, that now fully models the longitudinal magnetisation (fmVTI). METHODS The VTI and fmVTI methods were used to perform 3D LGE scans for 28 3D LGE patients, with qualitative image quality scores assigned for left atrial wall clarity and total ghosting. Accompanying simulations of numerical phantom images were assessed in terms of ghosting of normal myocardium, blood, and myocardial scar. RESULTS The numerical simulations for fmVTI showed a significant decrease in blood ghosting (VTI: 410 ± 710, fmVTI: 68 ± 40, p < 0.0005) and scar ghosting (VTI: 830 ± 1300, fmVTI: 510 ± 730, p < 0.02). Despite this, there was no significant change in qualitative image quality scores, either for left atrial wall clarity (VTI: 2.0 ± 1.0, fmVTI: 1.8 ± 1.0, p > 0.1) or for total ghosting (VTI: 1.9 ± 1.0, fmVTI: 2.0 ± 1.0, p > 0.7). CONCLUSIONS Simulations indicated reduced ghosting with the fmVTI method, due to reduced Mz variability in the blood signal. However, other sources of phase-encode ghosting and blurring appeared to dominate and obscure this finding in the patient studies available.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jack J Allen
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom; Royal Brompton Hospital. Part of Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Jennifer Keegan
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom; Royal Brompton Hospital. Part of Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - George Mathew
- Royal Brompton Hospital. Part of Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Miriam Conway
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom; Royal Brompton Hospital. Part of Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Sophie Jenkins
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom; Royal Brompton Hospital. Part of Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Dudley J Pennell
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom; Royal Brompton Hospital. Part of Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Sonia Nielles-Vallespin
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom; Royal Brompton Hospital. Part of Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Peter Gatehouse
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom; Royal Brompton Hospital. Part of Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom.
| | - Sonya V Babu-Narayan
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom; Royal Brompton Hospital. Part of Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
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Cunha PS, Laranjo S, Heijman J, Oliveira MM. The Atrium in Atrial Fibrillation - A Clinical Review on How to Manage Atrial Fibrotic Substrates. Front Cardiovasc Med 2022; 9:879984. [PMID: 35859594 PMCID: PMC9289204 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2022.879984] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2022] [Accepted: 06/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common sustained arrhythmia in the population and is associated with a significant clinical and economic burden. Rigorous assessment of the presence and degree of an atrial arrhythmic substrate is essential for determining treatment options, predicting long-term success after catheter ablation, and as a substrate critical in the pathophysiology of atrial thrombogenesis. Catheter ablation of AF has developed into an essential rhythm-control strategy. Nowadays is one of the most common cardiac ablation procedures performed worldwide, with its success inversely related to the extent of atrial structural disease. Although atrial substrate evaluation remains complex, several diagnostic resources allow for a more comprehensive assessment and quantification of the extent of left atrial structural remodeling and the presence of atrial fibrosis. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge on the pathophysiology, etiology, and electrophysiological aspects of atrial substrates promoting the development of AF. We also describe the risk factors for its development and how to diagnose its presence using imaging, electrocardiograms, and electroanatomic voltage mapping. Finally, we discuss recent data regarding fibrosis biomarkers that could help diagnose atrial fibrotic substrates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pedro Silva Cunha
- Arrhythmology, Pacing and Electrophysiology Unit, Cardiology Service, Santa Marta Hospital, Central Lisbon Hospital University Center, Lisbon, Portugal
- Lisbon School of Medicine, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
- Comprehensive Health Research Center, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Sérgio Laranjo
- Arrhythmology, Pacing and Electrophysiology Unit, Cardiology Service, Santa Marta Hospital, Central Lisbon Hospital University Center, Lisbon, Portugal
- Lisbon School of Medicine, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
- Comprehensive Health Research Center, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Jordi Heijman
- Department of Cardiology, Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Mário Martins Oliveira
- Arrhythmology, Pacing and Electrophysiology Unit, Cardiology Service, Santa Marta Hospital, Central Lisbon Hospital University Center, Lisbon, Portugal
- Lisbon School of Medicine, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
- Comprehensive Health Research Center, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
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4
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Li L, Zimmer VA, Schnabel JA, Zhuang X. Medical image analysis on left atrial LGE MRI for atrial fibrillation studies: A review. Med Image Anal 2022; 77:102360. [PMID: 35124370 PMCID: PMC7614005 DOI: 10.1016/j.media.2022.102360] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2021] [Revised: 11/04/2021] [Accepted: 01/10/2022] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Late gadolinium enhancement magnetic resonance imaging (LGE MRI) is commonly used to visualize and quantify left atrial (LA) scars. The position and extent of LA scars provide important information on the pathophysiology and progression of atrial fibrillation (AF). Hence, LA LGE MRI computing and analysis are essential for computer-assisted diagnosis and treatment stratification of AF patients. Since manual delineations can be time-consuming and subject to intra- and inter-expert variability, automating this computing is highly desired, which nevertheless is still challenging and under-researched. This paper aims to provide a systematic review on computing methods for LA cavity, wall, scar, and ablation gap segmentation and quantification from LGE MRI, and the related literature for AF studies. Specifically, we first summarize AF-related imaging techniques, particularly LGE MRI. Then, we review the methodologies of the four computing tasks in detail and summarize the validation strategies applied in each task as well as state-of-the-art results on public datasets. Finally, the possible future developments are outlined, with a brief survey on the potential clinical applications of the aforementioned methods. The review indicates that the research into this topic is still in the early stages. Although several methods have been proposed, especially for the LA cavity segmentation, there is still a large scope for further algorithmic developments due to performance issues related to the high variability of enhancement appearance and differences in image acquisition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Li
- School of Data Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, China; School of Biomedical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China; School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Sciences, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Veronika A Zimmer
- School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Sciences, King's College London, London, UK; Department of Informatics, Technical University of Munich, Germany
| | - Julia A Schnabel
- School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Sciences, King's College London, London, UK; Department of Informatics, Technical University of Munich, Germany; Helmholtz Center Munich, Germany
| | - Xiahai Zhuang
- School of Data Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
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5
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Cau R, Bassareo P, Suri JS, Saba L. Reply to "Structural And/Or Functional Underpinnings of Magnetic Resonance Imaging Bi-Atrial Strain Impairment in Patients With Takotsubo Syndrome". Can Assoc Radiol J 2022; 73:599. [PMID: 35089081 DOI: 10.1177/08465371211073915] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Riccardo Cau
- Department of Radiology, 97863Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria (A.O.U.), Cagliari, Italy
| | - Pierpaolo Bassareo
- University College of Dublin, 8881Mater Misericordiae University Hospital and Our Lady's Children's Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Jasjit S Suri
- Stroke Monitoring and Diagnosis Division, AtheroPoint(tm), Roseville, CA, USA
| | - Luca Saba
- Department of Radiology, 97863Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria (A.O.U.), Cagliari, Italy
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6
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Precision Medicine Approaches to Cardiac Arrhythmias: JACC Focus Seminar 4/5. J Am Coll Cardiol 2021; 77:2573-2591. [PMID: 34016268 DOI: 10.1016/j.jacc.2021.03.325] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2021] [Accepted: 03/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
In the initial 3 papers in this Focus Seminar series, the fundamentals and key concepts of precision medicine were reviewed, followed by a focus on precision medicine in the context of vascular disease and cardiomyopathy. For the remaining 2 papers, we focus on precision medicine in the context of arrhythmias. Specifically, in this fourth paper we focus on long QT syndrome, Brugada syndrome, and atrial fibrillation. The final (fifth) paper will deal with catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia. These arrhythmias represent a spectrum of disease ranging from common to relatively rare, with very different genetic and environmental causative factors, and with differing clinical manifestations that range from almost no consequences to lethality in childhood or adolescence if untreated. Accordingly, the emerging precision medicine approaches to these arrhythmias vary significantly, but several common themes include increased use of genetic testing, avoidance of triggers, and personalized risk stratification to guide the use of arrhythmia-specific therapies.
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7
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Barletta V, Mazzocchetti L, Parollo M, Spatafora D, Bongiorni M, Zucchelli G. Multimodality imaging for atrial fibrosis detection in the era of precision medicine. J Cardiovasc Echogr 2021; 31:189-197. [PMID: 35284213 PMCID: PMC8893107 DOI: 10.4103/jcecho.jcecho_61_21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2021] [Accepted: 08/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
In recent years, atrial fibrillation (AF) has increasingly become a focus of attention because it represents the most encountered arrhythmia in clinical practice and a major cause of morbidity and mortality. Issues underlying AF have long been debated; nevertheless, electrical, contractile, and structural remodeling is demonstrated to be the pivotal contributor to arrhythmic substrate. Fibrosis is a hallmark of arrhythmogenic structural remodeling, resulting from an accumulation of fibrillar collagen deposits, as a reparative process to replace degenerating myocardium with concomitant reactive fibrosis, which causes interstitial expansion. Although the precise role of fibrosis in AF initiation and maintenance remains to be fully elucidated, a better definition of its extent and distribution may assist in designing individually tailored ablation approaches and improving procedure outcomes by targeting the fibrotic substrates with an organized strategy employing imaging resources. A deep comprehension of the mechanisms underlying atrial fibrosis could be crucial to setting up improved strategies for preventing AF-promoting structural remodeling. Imaging modalities such as echocardiography, cardiac computed tomography, and cardiac magnetic resonance, combined sometimes with invasive electroanatomical mapping, could provide valuable information for the optimal patients’ management if their use is not limited to cardiac anatomy study but extended to characterize abnormal left atrial substrate. Although pulmonary vein isolation is usually efficacious in treating paroxysmal AF, it is not sufficient for many patients with nonparoxysmal arrhythmias, particularly those with longstanding persistent AF. Noninvasive imaging techniques play a pivotal role in the planning of arrhythmic substrates ablation and show a strong correlation with electro-anatomic mapping, whose novel multipolar mapping catheters allow nowadays a more precise comprehension of atrial substrate. This review aims to explore the impact of the various imaging modalities for the detection of atrial fibrosis and their role in the management of AF.
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8
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Abstract
AF is the most common arrhythmia in clinical practice. In addition to the severe effect on quality of life, patients with AF are at higher risk of stroke and mortality. Recent studies have suggested that atrial and ventricular substrate play a major role in the development and maintenance of AF. Cardiac MRI has emerged as a viable tool for interrogating the underlying substrate in AF patients. Its advantage includes localisation and quantification of structural remodelling. Cardiac MRI of the atrial substrate is not only a tool for management and treatment of arrhythmia, but also to individualise the prevention of stroke and major cardiovascular events. This article provides an overview of atrial imaging using cardiac MRI and its clinical implications in the AF population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Zhao
- Tulane Research Innovation for Arrhythmia Discoveries (TRIAD), Heart and Vascular Institute, Tulane University School of Medicine, LA, US
| | - Lilas Dagher
- Tulane Research Innovation for Arrhythmia Discoveries (TRIAD), Heart and Vascular Institute, Tulane University School of Medicine, LA, US
| | - Chao Huang
- Tulane Research Innovation for Arrhythmia Discoveries (TRIAD), Heart and Vascular Institute, Tulane University School of Medicine, LA, US
| | - Peter Miller
- Tulane Research Innovation for Arrhythmia Discoveries (TRIAD), Heart and Vascular Institute, Tulane University School of Medicine, LA, US
| | - Nassir F Marrouche
- Tulane Research Innovation for Arrhythmia Discoveries (TRIAD), Heart and Vascular Institute, Tulane University School of Medicine, LA, US
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9
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Mangiafico V, Saberwal B, Lavalle C, Raharja A, Ahmed Z, Papageorgiou N, Ahsan S. The role of CT in detecting AF substrate. Trends Cardiovasc Med 2020; 31:457-466. [PMID: 33068722 DOI: 10.1016/j.tcm.2020.10.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2020] [Revised: 09/29/2020] [Accepted: 10/10/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Despite technological advancements and evolving ablation strategies, atrial fibrillation catheter ablation outcome remains suboptimal for a cohort of patients. Imaging-based biomarkers have the potential to play a pivotal role in the overall assessment and prognostic stratification of AF patients, allowing for tailored treatments and individualized care. Alongside consolidated evaluation parameters, novel imaging biomarkers that can detect and stage the remodelling process and correlate it to electrophysiological phenomena are emerging. This review aims to provide a better understanding of the different types of atrial substrate, and how Computed Tomography can be used as a pre-ablation risk stratification tool by assessing the various novel imaging biomarkers, providing a valuable insight into the mechanisms that sustain AF and potentially allowing for a patient-specific ablation strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Mangiafico
- Department of Cardiovascular, Respiratory, Nephrological, Anesthesiological and Geriatric Sciences, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Policlinico Umberto I, Rome, Italy.
| | - Bunny Saberwal
- Barts Heart Centre, West Smithfield, London, EC1A 7BE, England.
| | - Carlo Lavalle
- Department of Cardiovascular, Respiratory, Nephrological, Anesthesiological and Geriatric Sciences, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Policlinico Umberto I, Rome, Italy.
| | - Antony Raharja
- Barts Heart Centre, West Smithfield, London, EC1A 7BE, England.
| | - Zuhair Ahmed
- Queen Mary University of London, London, England.
| | | | - Syed Ahsan
- Barts Heart Centre, West Smithfield, London, EC1A 7BE, England.
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10
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Borra D, Andalò A, Paci M, Fabbri C, Corsi C. A fully automated left atrium segmentation approach from late gadolinium enhanced magnetic resonance imaging based on a convolutional neural network. Quant Imaging Med Surg 2020; 10:1894-1907. [PMID: 33014723 DOI: 10.21037/qims-20-168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Background Several studies suggest that the evaluation of left atrial (LA) fibrosis is a relevant information for the assessment of the appropriate strategy in catheter ablation in atrial fibrillation (AF). Late gadolinium enhanced (LGE) cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a non-invasive technique, which might be employed for the non-invasive quantification of LA myocardial fibrotic tissue in patients with AF. Nowadays, the analysis of LGE MRI relies on manual tracing of LA boundaries and this procedure is time-consuming and prone to high inter-observer variability given the different degrees of observers' experience, LA wall thickness and data resolution. Therefore, an automated segmentation approach of the atrial cavity for the quantification of scar tissue would be highly desirable. Methods This study focuses on the design of a fully automated LGE MRI segmentation pipeline which includes a convolutional neural network (CNN) based on the successful architecture U-Net. The CNN was trained, validated and tested end-to-end with the data available from the Statistical Atlases and Computational Modelling of the Heart 2018 Atrial Segmentation Challenge (100 cardiac data). Two different approaches were tested: using both stacks of 2-D axial slices and using 3-D data (with the appropriate changes in the baseline architecture). In the latter approach, thanks to the 3-D convolution operator, all the information underlying 3-D data can be exploited. Once the training was completed using 80 cardiac data, a post-processing step was applied on 20 predicted segmentations belonging to the test set. Results By applying the 2-D and 3-D approaches, average Dice coefficient and mean Hausdorff distances were 0.896, 0.914, and 8.98 mm, 8.34 mm, respectively. Volumes of the anatomical LA meshes from the automated analysis were highly correlated with the volumes from ground truth [2-D: r=0.978, y=0.94x+0.07, bias=3.5 ml (5.6%), SD=5.3 mL (8.5%); 3-D: r=0.982, y=0.92x+2.9, bias=2.1 mL (3.5%), SD=5.2 mL (8.4%)]. Conclusions These results suggest the proposed approach is feasible and provides accurate results. Despite the increase of the number of trainable parameters, the proposed 3-D CNN learns better features leading to higher performance, feasible for a real clinical application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Davide Borra
- Department of Electrical, Electronic and Information Engineering "Guglielmo Marconi" (DEI), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Alice Andalò
- Department of Electrical, Electronic and Information Engineering "Guglielmo Marconi" (DEI), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Michelangelo Paci
- BioMediTech, Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, FI-33520 Tampere, Finland
| | - Claudio Fabbri
- Department of Electrical, Electronic and Information Engineering "Guglielmo Marconi" (DEI), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Cristiana Corsi
- Department of Electrical, Electronic and Information Engineering "Guglielmo Marconi" (DEI), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
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11
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Applications of artificial intelligence in multimodality cardiovascular imaging: A state-of-the-art review. Prog Cardiovasc Dis 2020; 63:367-376. [DOI: 10.1016/j.pcad.2020.03.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2020] [Accepted: 03/08/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
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12
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Left Atrial Structural Remodelling in Non-Valvular Atrial Fibrillation: What Have We Learnt from CMR? Diagnostics (Basel) 2020; 10:diagnostics10030137. [PMID: 32131455 PMCID: PMC7151417 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics10030137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2020] [Revised: 02/20/2020] [Accepted: 02/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Left atrial structural, functional and electrical remodelling are linked to atrial fibrillation (AF) pathophysiology and mirror the phrase “AF begets AF”. A structurally remodelled left atrium (LA) is fibrotic, dysfunctional and enlarged. Fibrosis is the hallmark of LA structural remodelling and is associated with increased risk of stroke, heart failure development and/or progression and poorer catheter ablation outcomes with increased recurrence rates. Moreover, increased atrial fibrosis has been associated with higher rates of stroke even in sinus-rhythm individuals. As such, properly assessing the fibrotic atrial cardiomyopathy in AF patients becomes necessary. In this respect, late-gadolinium enhancement cardiac magnetic resonance (LGE-CMR) imaging is the gold standard in imaging myocardial fibrosis. LA structural remodelling extension offers both diagnostic and prognostic information and influences therapeutic choices. LGE-CMR scans can be used before the procedure to better select candidates and to aid in choosing the ablation technique, during the procedure (full CMR-guided ablations) and after the ablation (to assess the ablation scar). This review focuses on imaging several LA structural remodelling CMR parameters, including size, shape and fibrosis (both extension and architecture) and their impact on procedure outcomes, recurrence risk, as well as their utility in relation to the index procedure timing.
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Abstract
From the bedside of patients contributing samples to large genome-wide association studies for atrial fibrillation (AF), over 100 AF risk loci have been identified. The top locus is near a gene implicated in pulmonary vein formation; the ostia of the pulmonary veins harbor initiating triggers of AF, and isolation of these areas is the cornerstone of ablation therapies for AF. Transcriptomic studies suggest that AF is associated with impaired or overwhelmed responses to cell stress. A dual risk model proposes that in genetically-susceptible individuals, inadequate transcriptional responses to stress predispose to AF in later life. Drugs targeting metabolic, oxidative, or protein handling stress may be novel upstream agents to bring back to the bedside for study in the prevention of AF.
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14
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Okada DR, Wu KC. Applications of Cardiac MR Imaging in Electrophysiology. Magn Reson Imaging Clin N Am 2019; 27:465-473. [PMID: 31279450 DOI: 10.1016/j.mric.2019.04.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
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15
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Ghannam M, Oral H. Mapping and Imaging in Non-paroxysmal AF. Arrhythm Electrophysiol Rev 2019; 8:202-209. [PMID: 31463058 PMCID: PMC6702463 DOI: 10.15420/aer.2019.18.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2019] [Accepted: 04/25/2019] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite intense research efforts, maintenance of sinus rhythm in patients with non-paroxysmal AF remains challenging with suboptimal outcomes. A major limitation to the success of current ablation-based treatments is that our understanding of AF pathophysiology is incomplete. Advances in imaging and mapping tools have been reported to improve ablation outcomes. However, the role of these new approaches on the clinical care of patients with AF remains to be validated and better understood before wide adoption can occur. This article reviews the current techniques of imaging and mapping that can be applied in the management of patients with non-paroxysmal AF with a focus on their relevance to catheter ablation. Future applications and opportunities for new knowledge are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Ghannam
- Cardiac Arrhythmia Service, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Michigan Ann Arbor, MI, US
| | - Hakan Oral
- Cardiac Arrhythmia Service, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Michigan Ann Arbor, MI, US
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16
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Zuo K, Li K, Liu M, Li J, Liu X, Liu X, Zhong J, Yang X. Correlation of left atrial wall thickness and atrial remodeling in atrial fibrillation: Study based on low-dose-ibutilide-facilitated catheter ablation. Medicine (Baltimore) 2019; 98:e15170. [PMID: 30985700 PMCID: PMC6485781 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000015170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Atrial remodeling plays a significant role during the progression of atrial fibrillation (AF). Left atrial wall thickness (LAT) is a subjective and easily acquirable indicator referring to structural remodeling. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the association between LAT and atrial remodeling substrate, and to explore the predictive role of LAT about strong maintenance substrate and poor response to catheter ablation.LAT was measured by cardiac computed tomography in 2 selected locations (roof and floor) in 100 persistent AF patients. Then the low-dose-ibutilide-facilitated catheter ablation was performed and atrial maintenance substrate was categorized as weak, mild, and strong, based on the response to circumferential pulmonary vein isolation or complex fractionated atrial electrograms ablation. During follow-up, the success rate was evaluated. LAT showed a progressive thickening tendency from weak, mild, to strong maintenance substrate (roof: 2.2 mm vs. 2.6 mm vs. 3.9 mm, P < .0001; floor: 1.7 mm vs. 2.0 mm vs. 2.5 mm, P < .0001). During follow-up, the success rate of ablation was decreased with the maintenance substrate strengthening (weak 80%, mild 64.53%, strong 31.43%, P = .009). LA roof thickness >3.10 mm might be the predictor to strong atrial maintenance substrate and poor response to ablation.LAT was associated with the remodeling extent of atrial maintenance substrate and might predict the response to catheter ablation. These findings could help the clinicians to select the appropriate ablative strategy and predict the complexity and prognosis before catheter ablation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kun Zuo
- Heart Center & Beijing Key Laboratory of Hypertension
| | - Kuibao Li
- Heart Center & Beijing Key Laboratory of Hypertension
| | - Min Liu
- Department of Radiology, Beijing Chaoyang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Jing Li
- Heart Center & Beijing Key Laboratory of Hypertension
| | - Xiaoqing Liu
- Heart Center & Beijing Key Laboratory of Hypertension
| | - Xingpeng Liu
- Heart Center & Beijing Key Laboratory of Hypertension
| | | | - Xinchun Yang
- Heart Center & Beijing Key Laboratory of Hypertension
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Turner JL, Marrouche N. The Next 10 Years in Atrial Fibrillation. US CARDIOLOGY REVIEW 2019. [DOI: 10.15420/usc.2018.21.2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Predicting future advancements in arrhythmia management – specifically AF – with any certainty is impossible. The clinical approach to AF has changed markedly since the turn of the century in ways that could never have been foreseen, but the current methods of identification and treatment remain far from perfect. Over the next decade we expect significant continued progress in AF management. However, if asked to forecast the future, we consider it wise to predict advancements in the nearer term. We believe there will be widespread expansion in digital health and mobile devices, altering the way we detect and monitor the arrhythmia. We expect substantial growth in advanced MRI to aid in early detection, evaluation, and possibly non-invasive treatment of AF substrate. We imagine there will be increasing focus on individual populations to identify at-risk groups and personalize early management. We also anticipate improvement in anticoagulation employment and left atrial appendage modification. Finally, recognizing the benefit of improvement in modifiable risk factors such as mandatory tobacco cessation and weight loss in obese patients, we predict that reimbursement will be dependent on successfully addressing modifiable risk. For now, several questions remain unanswered, and while no one can predict the next 10 years in AF, there is, without doubt, an abundance of opportunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey L Turner
- Comprehensive Arrhythmia and Research Management Center, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT
| | - Nassir Marrouche
- Comprehensive Arrhythmia and Research Management Center, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT
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