Abstract:

　　Objective: To document the variations in pulmonary venous drainage to the left atrium and the size and shape of pulmonary vein(PV) ostia adopting image skill. Methods: The data of one hundred and three patients without affecting PV disease were collected in this study. Pulmonary venous drainage patterns to the left atrium were analysed. The caliber of PV ostia were measured at workstation and venous ostial index(VOI) were calculated. Results: Most patients(n=81,78.6%) had four standard PVs. the caliber of the superior PV ostia was larger than that of the inferior PV ostia. The right superior PV ostia was larger than the left superior PV ostia and the right inferior PV ostia was larger than the left inferior PV ostia (P<0.05). The VOI of the right was larger than that of the left. The VOI between the left superior and inferior PV were similar (P=0.773>0.05) and the other data were different. The caliber of PV ostia in men was larger than that in women. The VOI between mem and women were similar (P>0.05). Conclusions: The PVs have great anatomic variations. There is significant variability in PV ostial caliber and shape. 64-slice spiral CT angiography can provide valuable information on pulmonary venous anatomy for ablation procedures and thoracic surgery.

Key words: pulmonary veins, atrial fibrillation, tomography, X-ray computer, catheter ablation