Prevalence and characterization of pulmonary vein variants in patients with atrial fibrillation determined using 3-dimensional computed tomography.

Although several branching patterns of pulmonary veins (PVs) were reported, their prevalence and characterization were not sufficiently clarified. Multislice computed tomography was performed in 428 patients who underwent catheter ablation for drug-refractory atrial fibrillation. Size and branching pattern of PVs were analyzed.

Usefulness of virtual histology intravascular ultrasound to predict distal embolization for ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction.

Objectives: We aimed to predict the high-risk plaque of distal embolization after stent deployment in patients with acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) with Virtual Histology intravascular ultrasound (VH-IVUS) (Volcano Therapeutics, Inc., Rancho Cordova, California).

Background: Distal embolization during primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) carries a poor prognosis in patients with STEMI.