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- Title
Pulmonary vein calcification by EBCT in patients with drug refractory nonvalular atrial fibrillation.
- Authors
James Adams; Claude Elayi; David Martin; Salwa Beheiry; Steven Hao; Richard Hongo; Chi Ching
- Abstract
Abstract Introduction  Pulmonary veins in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) have been shown to be highly arrhythmogenic. Calcification in these veins may play an adjunctive role in the pathogenesis of AF. Methods and Results  A case control study was performed in patients with drug refractory nonvalvular AF whose preablation computed tomography chest scans demonstrated pulmonary vein (PV) calcification. Eight out of 48 patients with PV calcification were compared to 50 patients without AF who underwent electron beam computed tomography coronary artery calcium scores. These patients were matched for age, gender, coronary artery calcium scores, and the presence of PV calcification. The mean age of the combined group was 57â±â9 years and 60% were men. The mean total PV calcium score was significantly higher at 199â±â112 in patients with AF compared to 106â±â52 in controls (pâ=â0.018). Men had significantly higher total PV calcium score than women in both groups. Conclusion  Total PV calcium score was significantly higher in patients with atrial fibrillation. Increased PV calcification may play an adjunctive role in the pathogenesis in initiating and maintaining AF.
- Subjects
PULMONARY vein abnormalities; CALCIFICATION; ATRIAL fibrillation; MEDICAL research; MEDICAL radiography; TOMOGRAPHY; PATIENTS
- Publication
Journal of Interventional Cardiac Electrophysiology, 2008, Vol 22, Issue 3, p173
- ISSN
1383-875X
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1007/s10840-008-9262-x