Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging assessment of regional and global left atrial function before and after catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation

Background  

Ablation of the left atrium and pulmonary veins antrum (PVAI) can be an effective treatment of atrial fibrillation (AF). However, there is discrepancy in the literature regarding the effect extensive ablation has on left atrial (LA) function. We sought to evaluate the effect that AF ablation procedures has on global and regional wall motion as assessed by cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).