The Presence of the Right Middle Pulmonary Vein Variant Does Not Affect the Maintenance of Sinus Rhythm after Pulmonary Vein Isolation for Atrial Fibrillation

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Introduction: Recently, several branching patterns of pulmonary veins <PVs> were reported by using 3D-CT. The right middle PV <RMPV> is the most common variant, but it is uncertain that the presence of the RMPV affects the maintenance of sinus rhythm <SR> after pulmonary vein isolation <PVI> for atrial fibrillation <AF>. We assessed the branching patterns of PVs and a half year maintenance of SR after PVI. Methods: This study included 173 consecutive patients <129 men, mean age: 57.6±8.5 years>. The branching patterns of PVs were analyzed by using 3D-CT. The right middle PV was defined as a distinct vein branching from the left atrial body. We assessed a half year maintenance of SR after PVI. Results: At a half year, 72.8% of the patients continued to have SR. The RMPV was observed in 15.6% of the patients. Between RMPV variant groups and no RMPV variant groups, there was no significant difference in a half year maintenance of SR <66.7%; 18/27 vs. 74.0%; 108/146, p=0.43>. Conclusions: The right middle PV variant was observed in 15.6% of the patients. The presence of the right middle PV variant does not affect a half year maintenance of sinus rhythm after pulmonary vein isolation for atrial fibrillation.