Aims Chest computed tomography (CT) scanning is increasingly used as an imaging technique in patients undergoing atrial fibrillation (AF) catheter ablation. Chest CT scans visualize organs other than the heart and collateral findings may be identified incidentally. Our study aims to assess the prevalence and clinical relevance of such collateral findings in patients undergoing AF ablation. Methods and results One hundred and seventy-three patients (127 males, age 59 +/- 10 years) underwent chest CT scan for image integration in AF ablation. Collateral findings from visualized thoracic and upper abdominal organs were collected. Findings that required further investigations or treatment according to current guidelines were considered as clinically significant. A total of 164 collateral findings were identified in 97 (56%) patients, and most patients showed abnormalities of the lungs (67 patients, 39%). Forty-nine (28%) patients had clinically significant findings needing further investigation and 17 (10%) of them required specific treatments, including three cases (1.7%) of lung malignancy. Conclusions Chest CT images acquired for integration in AF ablation should be read thoroughly as they may serve as a screening tool for otherwise unrecognized clinically significant conditions of the heart, lungs, or other visualized organs.

Prevalence and clinical significance of collateral findings detected by chest computed tomography in patients undergoing atrial fibrillation ablation / M. Casella, F. Perna, G. Pontone, A. Dello Russo, D. Andreini, G. Pelargonio, S. Riva, G. Fassini, M. Pepi, G. Ballerini, M. Moltrasio, B. Majocchi, S. Bartoletti, A. Formenti, P. Santangeli, L. Di Biase, A. Natale, C. Tondo. - In: EUROPACE. - ISSN 1099-5129. - 14:2(2012 Feb), pp. 209-216.

Prevalence and clinical significance of collateral findings detected by chest computed tomography in patients undergoing atrial fibrillation ablation

M. Casella;G. Pontone;D. Andreini;B. Majocchi;S. Bartoletti;L. Di Biase;A. Natale;C. Tondo
2012

Abstract

Aims Chest computed tomography (CT) scanning is increasingly used as an imaging technique in patients undergoing atrial fibrillation (AF) catheter ablation. Chest CT scans visualize organs other than the heart and collateral findings may be identified incidentally. Our study aims to assess the prevalence and clinical relevance of such collateral findings in patients undergoing AF ablation. Methods and results One hundred and seventy-three patients (127 males, age 59 +/- 10 years) underwent chest CT scan for image integration in AF ablation. Collateral findings from visualized thoracic and upper abdominal organs were collected. Findings that required further investigations or treatment according to current guidelines were considered as clinically significant. A total of 164 collateral findings were identified in 97 (56%) patients, and most patients showed abnormalities of the lungs (67 patients, 39%). Forty-nine (28%) patients had clinically significant findings needing further investigation and 17 (10%) of them required specific treatments, including three cases (1.7%) of lung malignancy. Conclusions Chest CT images acquired for integration in AF ablation should be read thoroughly as they may serve as a screening tool for otherwise unrecognized clinically significant conditions of the heart, lungs, or other visualized organs.
Collateral findings; Incidental findings; Chest computed tomography; Image integration; Atrial fibrillation ablation
Settore MED/11 - Malattie dell'Apparato Cardiovascolare
feb-2012
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/2434/220896
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