Left atrial fibrosis by late gadolinium enhancement cardiovascular magnetic resonance predicts recurrence of atrial fibrillation after pulmonary vein isolation: do you see what I see?

摘要

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common sustained arrhythmia with 3 to 6 million currently afflicted and the prevalence expected to double by 2050.1 AF carries an increased risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality driven largely by increased risk of stroke and congestive heart failure.1 Management of AF represents a significant and growing healthcare burden, with an estimated cost of $6.65 billion in 2005 and likely doubling by 2020.2