Novel application of 3D contrast-enhanced CMR to define fibrotic structure of the human sinoatrial node in vivo.

ABSTRACT:

Aims

The adult human sinoatrial node (SAN) has a specialized fibrotic intramural structure (35-55% fibrotic tissue) that provides mechanical and electrical protection from the surrounding atria. We hypothesize that late gadolinium-enhanced cardiovascular magnetic resonance (LGE-CMR) can be applied to define the fibrotic human SAN structure in vivo.

Methods and results

LGE-CMR atrial scans of healthy volunteers (n olu, 23-52 y.o.) using a 3 Tesla magnetic resonance imaging system with a spatial resolution of 1.0 mm3 or 0.625 × 0.625 × 1.25 mm3 were obtained and analysed. Percent fibrosis of total connective and cardiomyocyte tissue area in segmented atrial regions were measured based on signal intensity differences of fibrotic vs. non-fibrotic cardiomyocyte tissue. A distinct

SUBMITTER: Csepe TA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5837534 | biostudies-literature | 2017 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature