Arrhythmias & electrophysiologyResearch article
Quantification of atrial fibrillation–related imaging markers using spectral photon-counting computed tomography
- quantitative tissue analysis
Authors' conclusion
Patients with AF exhibit shorter SA-arteries and more IAS fibrosis- highlighting an interplay between vascular supply and fibrosis. Both features may serve as imaging biomarkers for identifying patients with occult asymptomatic AF undergoing coronary PCCT angiography for clinical indications - in whom reinforced screening for atrial fibrillation may be considered.
Study context
- Population
- Patients referred to photon counting computed tomography (PCCT) coronary angiography, with atrial fibrillation (AF) or controls in sinus rhythmincluded from 802 patients referred to PCCT coronary angiography, age 70.3 ±12.2 years, 37.7% women · AF 65 · controls in sinus rhythm 65
- Participants
- 130 patients
- Comparison
- patients with atrial fibrillation compared to controls
- AFn = 65
- controlsn = 65
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Patients with AF had shorter sinoatrial (SA)-arteries
p<0.001
Further findings
IAS fibrosis (Score 2-4) · more prevalent in AF
P < 0.001
Fully fibrous IAS · more prevalent in AF
P < 0.001
| Outcome | AF | controls | P value |
|---|---|---|---|
| IAS density · higher in AF | 55.3 HU | −44.2 HU | P < 0.001 |
| IAS iodine concentration · higher in AF | 1.45 mg/mL | −0.1 mg/mL | P < 0.001 |
Correlation between interatrial septum (IAS) density and iodine concentration
- r
- 0.749
- p
- P < 0.001
IAS fibrosis, density and iodine concentration by left atrial remodeling (left atrial wall thickening (LAWT)>2mm)
- Patients with positive left atrial remodeling (LAWT>2mm) had higher IAS fibrosis scores, higher IAS density and iodine concentration
- P < 0.001
SA-node density and iodine concentration
- higher in AF
- P < 0.001
Original publication
Summarised from the published abstract; every number is checked against it