Caracterización de las variantes anatómicas de las venas pulmonares en pacientes candidatos a aislamiento de venas pulmonares en Colombia

Abstract

Introduction and objectives: Knowledge of the anatomy of the pulmonary veins and the left atrium is essential for planning and prevention of potential complications during pulmonary vein ablation procedure. This study aims to characterize the anatomy (size and shape) of the pulmonary veins and determine the most common anatomical variants thereof. Methods: 277 three-dimensional magnetic resonance angiography studies or computed tomography performed before the procedure of pulmonary vein isolation were analyzed. The diameters of the left atrium, the pulmonary vein ostia were assessed and the presence of common and early accessory pulmonary veins branching determined. Results: 75% of our patients had the normal anatomy of two right pulmonary veins and two lefts. In 10.1% of cases were found supernumerary veins and 11.2% found a common trunk. In 61% of patients were found ostial branches, which in 39.4% of cases were in the right inferior pulmonary vein. Conclusions: The evaluation of the morphology of the right atrium and pulmonary veins using magnetic resonance angiography or CT scan is necessary to perform radiofrequency ablation given the high frequency of anatomical variations and the presence of ostial branches.