[Relevance of magnetic resonance imaging for catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation].

Currently, atrial fibrillation is the most common form of arrhythmia encountered in clinical practice. Until recently the treatment approach to atrial fibrillation was limited by imprecise risk stratification models and suboptimal therapy options. At present cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is an important noninvasive diagnostic modality which aids in the completion of complex electrophysiological and ablation interventions. Cardiac MRI and 3D imaging reconstruction are used clinically to assess the cardiac chambers as well as complex anatomical structures. Through the development of cardiac MRI it has become possible to detect areas of fibrosis in the left atrium which can be the cause of atrial fibrillation. The most recent clinical data suggest that there is a strong correlation between the amount of left atrial fibrosis and recurrent atrial fibrillation following ablation procedures and will in the future allow more individualized treatment strategies for patients with atrial fibrillation. In addition, cardiac MRI allows the direct visualization of catheter-induced lesions after ablation procedures which helps in assessing therapy success and can also assist in the early detection of procedure-related complications. Furthermore, with the implementation of cardiac MRI it appears possible to assess the stroke risk in patients with atrial fibrillation. Promising future developments will allow individualized therapy for patients with atrial fibrillation in addition to improving safety and procedure results after ablation.