Myocardial Fibrosis and the Risk of Recurrence in Atrial Fibrillation

Abstract

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most frequent cardiac arrhythmia increasing the risk of stroke and mortality from heart failure. Magnetic resonance imaging was used by several authors for assessment of atrial fibrosis and to predict the rate of recurrence following AF ablation. The aim of this manuscript was to summarize the new data in the literature regarding the role of atrial fibrosis in AF imaging and the role of cardiac fibrosis in predicting AF recurrence after radio-frequency ablation.

Keywords

• atrial fibrillation
• cardiac mri
• atrial fibrosis
• catheter ablation