Characteristics of pulmonary vein enlargement in non-valvular atrial fibrillation patients with stroke.

ABSTRACT:

Purpose

The association between pulmonary vein (PV) dilatation and stroke in non-valvular atrial fibrillation (AF) patients remains unknown.

Materials and methods

We examined the left atrium (LA) and PV in control (n=138) and non-valvular AF patients without (AF group, n=138) and with non-hemorrhagic stroke (AF with stroke group, n=138) using computed tomography.

Results

The LA, LA appendage (LAA), and all PVs were larger in the AF than control patients. The orifice areas of the LAA (5.6±2.2 cm² vs. 4.7±1.7 cm², p<0.001), left superior PV (3.8±1.5 cm² vs. 3.4±1.2 cm², p=0.019), and inferior PV (2.3±1.0 cm² vs. 1.8±0.7 cm², p<0.001) were larger in the AF with stroke than in the AF only group. However, right PVs were not different between the two groups. In a multivaria

SUBMITTER: Lee JM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4205690 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature