Morphology and morphometry of pulmonary veins and the left atrium in multi-slice computed tomography

• PurposePulmonary veins are involved in pathogenesis and treatment of atrial fibrillation and structures at risk during thoracic surgeries. There is lack of data regarding pulmonary vein morphology and morphometry in normal population.MethodsThe study was conducted using 135 chest computed tomography studies with intra-venous iodine contrast injection. The study population contained 86 females and 49 males, mean age was 60. 13 had atrial fibrillation.The studies were analyzed using radiological workstation.ResultsMean dimensions of the left atrium: transverse 52mm, coronal 49mm, and sagittal 35mm. The mean volume of the left atrium was 93cm(3). The mean volume of the left atrium in patients with atrial fibrillation was 176cm(3). The sagittal dimension and the volume of the left atrium were correlated with age, r=0.43 and r=0.42, respectively. Surface area of the left inferior pulmonary vein ostium was 136mm(2), significantly less than the surface area of other ostia of pulmonary veins. The mean distance between two pulmonary veins was 5.42mm on the right and 4.02mm on the left side. 13 types of pulmonary veins outflow patterns were described on the right side and 5 types on the left side. 66.7% of right pulmonary veins and 82% of the left pulmonary veins emptied into the left atrium with two venous trunks on each side (the typical pattern).ConclusionsMorphological features of pulmonary veins and morphometry of the left atrium and pulmonary veins are important for clinical purposes and are in accordance with previous papers.

Ämnesord

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Klinisk medicin -- Radiologi och bildbehandling (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Clinical Medicine -- Radiology, Nuclear Medicine and Medical Imaging (hsv//eng)

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Klinisk medicin -- Kirurgi (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Clinical Medicine -- Surgery (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

Pulmonary veins

Left atrium

Anatomy

Pulmonary vein ostium

Computed tomography

Atrial

catheter ablation

drainage patterns

ostial diameter

lung-cancer

fibrillation

anatomy

distance

surgery

ct

Anatomy & Morphology

Radiology

Nuclear Medicine & Medical Imaging

Surgery

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