Pulmonary vein stenosis after catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation

This report describes the complication of pulmonary vein stenosis with resultant severe pulmonary hypertension that developed in 2 patients after successful catheter ablation of chronic atrial fibrillation. Three months after successful catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation, both patients develop...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Circulation (New York, N.Y.) N.Y.), 1998-10, Vol.98 (17), p.1769-1775
Main Authors: ROBBINS, I. M, COLVIN, E. V, DOYLE, T. P, KEMP, W. E, LOYD, J. E, MCMAHON, W. S, KAY, G. N
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Atrial Fibrillation - surgery
Biological and medical sciences
Catheter Ablation
Constriction, Pathologic
Diseases of the cardiovascular system
Electrocardiography
Female
Humans
Hypertension, Pulmonary - etiology
Male
Medical sciences
Middle Aged
Pulmonary Veno-Occlusive Disease - complications
Radiotherapy. Instrumental treatment. Physiotherapy. Reeducation. Rehabilitation, orthophony, crenotherapy. Diet therapy and various other treatments (general aspects)
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Summary:This report describes the complication of pulmonary vein stenosis with resultant severe pulmonary hypertension that developed in 2 patients after successful catheter ablation of chronic atrial fibrillation. Three months after successful catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation, both patients developed progressive dyspnea and pulmonary hypertension. Both were found to have severe stenosis of all 4 pulmonary veins near the junction with the left atrium. Balloon dilation of the stenotic pulmonary veins was performed in these patients, with improvement in dyspnea and pulmonary hypertension. The complication of pulmonary vein stenosis is potentially life-threatening, and the application of radiofrequency current within the pulmonary veins with standard catheter technology should be avoided. This complication can be treated with balloon dilation, although the long-term course is unknown.
ISSN:0009-7322
1524-4539
DOI:10.1161/01.cir.98.17.1769