Post ablation timing to best visualize left-atrial Llesions: a feasibility study

Background Catheter-based atrial fibrillation (AF) therapy often uses cryo-balloon ablation of pulmonary vein (PV) ostia to achieve rhythm control. Prior studies suggest the ability of late gadolinium enhancement cardiac MRI (LGE-MRI) to visualize radiofrequency-induced scar. The optimal time after therapy to visualize cryo-ablation lesions is unknown. This study evaluates the relationship between the time of LGE-MRI acquisition after ablation and visualization of cryoballoon-induced scar. Methods Eleven consecutive patients (9 M, age 61 ± 6y) undergoing cryoablation for AF were prospectively enrolled. All patients had pre-procedural left atrial angiography with LGE-MRI (1.5T Signa HDx, General Electric, ) to define left atrial and pulmonary vein (PV) anatomy. All patients underwent repeat LGE-MRI between 7-28 days postablation. Images were visually assessed for scar (estimated as percent circumferential enhancement) detected in the PV antrum and placed in quartiles of definite LGE, likely LGE, unlikely LGE, and no LGE.