Fusion of Delayed-enhancement MR Imaging and Contrast-enhanced MR Angiography to Visualize Radiofrequency Ablation Scar on the Pulmonary Vein

Magn Reson Med Sci. 2015;14(4):367-72. doi: 10.2463/mrms.2014-0136. Epub 2015 Jun 23.

Abstract

Delayed-enhancement magnetic resonance imaging (DE-MRI) is reported to detect the radiofrequency (RF) ablation scar of pulmonary vein isolation. However, the precise localization of RF scar is difficult to recognize due to the poor anatomical information of the 3-dimensionally reconstructed DE-MRI. We report 2 cases in which fusion of DE-MRI and contrast-enhanced MR angiography facilitated the identification of RF scar, and we detail our fusion method.

MeSH terms

  • Atrial Fibrillation / surgery
  • Catheter Ablation / methods*
  • Cicatrix / diagnosis*
  • Contrast Media*
  • Humans
  • Image Enhancement / methods*
  • Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / methods
  • Imaging, Three-Dimensional / methods
  • Magnetic Resonance Angiography / methods*
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging / methods*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Multimodal Imaging / methods
  • Pulmonary Veins / pathology*
  • Pulmonary Veins / surgery

Substances

  • Contrast Media