Usefulness of previsualization of the cardiac venous system by 64-slice computed tomography in patients with heart failure underwent cardiac resynchronization therapy
Hua, W.; Ding, L.-g.; Zhang, S.; Chen, K.-p.; Wang, J.; Wang, F.-z.
Zhonghua Xin Xue Guan Bing Za Zhi 38(7): 610-613
2010
ISSN/ISBN: 0253-3758 PMID: 21055283 Document Number: 645190
To evaluate the value of 64-slice computed tomography (MDCT) in previsualization the cardiac veins anatomy before the implantation of cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT). The 64-slice CT scans of 21 patients [10 men, age (61.6 ± 9.7) years] were obtained and analyzed before the implantation of CRT. Retrograde coronary venography was performed during intraoperational fluoroscopy. The coronary sinus (CS) and the main tributaries were measured. Similar images to those obtained during the CRT implantation procedure were obtained by MDCT in 71% of the patients. The coronary sinus was clearly visible in all cases, the measured ostium was (12.1 ± 4.2) mm, and the angle between the CS and the vertical plane was (99 ± 12) degrees. In 90% of patients, at least one vein was clearly visible in the target area. Among the target veins, the posterolateral vein was visible in most cases (86%) and the lateral vein was visible in 48% of the patients. MDCT is an effective and noninvasive method for previsualization of the cardiac venous system, which may facilitate optimal left ventricular lead positioning for CRT implantation.