Abstract
Purpose
Pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) during ablation of atrial fibrillation (AF) is associated with pulmonary vein stenosis (PVS). Although the reported incidence of PVS has fallen in recent years, the precise rate of PVS is unknown. Coherent guidelines for screening and treatment of PVS are not established. We reviewed literature to investigate the incidence, diagnosis, and management of PVS as a complication of PVI.
Methods
We reviewed 41 manuscripts that described a total of 4,615 subjects (median, 84 subjects/study).
Results
The incidence of PVS after PVI reported in literature from 1999 to 2004 ranges from 0 to 44 % (mean, 6.3 %; median, 5.4 %), whereas studies after 2004 report an incidence of 0–19 % (mean, 2 %; median, 3.1 %; p < 0.001). PVS symptoms typically occur with reduction of lung perfusion by 20–25 %. Variable criteria exist for diagnosis of PVS by magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomography, and perfusion imaging. The restenosis rate for treatment with balloon angioplasty ranges from 30 to 87 % (mean, 60 %; median, 47 %), compared with immediate stenting that ranges from 14 to 57 % (mean, 34 %; median, 33 %).
Conclusions
Recent peer-reviewed articles suggest that PVI carries a 3–8 % risk of developing PVS, but they likely underestimate the incidence of PVS, as specific screening and diagnostic guidelines are not established. Imaging modalities should be used to screen patients after ablation of AF since early recognition of PVS improves treatment outcomes. Treatment with angioplasty and stent placement can improve symptoms and lung perfusion but the benefit of treatment with immediate stent placement remains controversial. It is critical to maintain a high clinical index of suspicion for PVS in at-risk individuals to ensure timely detection and treatment.
Similar content being viewed by others
Abbreviations
- AF:
-
Atrial fibrillation
- CT:
-
Computed tomography
- ICE:
-
Intracardiac echocardiography
- MRI:
-
Magnetic resonance imaging
- PH:
-
Pulmonary hypertension
- PV(s):
-
Pulmonary vein(s)
- PVI:
-
Pulmonary vein isolation
- PVO:
-
Pulmonary vein occlusion
- PVS:
-
Pulmonary vein stenosis
- RFA:
-
Radiofrequency ablation
- TEE:
-
Transesophageal echocardiogram
References
Maan, A., Shaikh, A. Y., Mansour, M., Ruskin, J. N., & Heist, E. K. (2011). Complications from catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation: a systematic review. Critical Pathways in Cardiology, 10, 76–83.
Di Biase, L., Fahmy, T. S., Wazni, O. M., Bai, R., Patel, D., Lakkireddy, D., et al. (2006). Pulmonary vein total occlusion following catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation: clinical implications after long-term follow-up. Journal of the American College of Cardiology, 48, 2493–2499.
Kluge, A., Dill, T., Ekinci, O., Hansel, J., Hamm, C., Pitschner, H. F., & Bachmann, G. (2004). Decreased pulmonary perfusion in pulmonary vein stenosis after radiofrequency ablation: assessment with dynamic magnetic resonance perfusion imaging. Chest, 126, 428–437.
Nanthakumar, K., Mountz, J. M., Plumb, V. J., Epstein, A. E., & Kay, G. N. (2004). Functional assessment of pulmonary vein stenosis using radionuclide ventilation/perfusion imaging. Chest, 126, 645–651.
Calkins, H., Kuck, K. H., Cappato, R., Brugada, J., Camm, J., Chen, S. A., et al. (2012). HRS/EHRA/ECAS expert consensus statement on catheter and surgical ablation of atrial fibrillation: recommendations for patient selection, procedural techniques, patient management and follow-up, definitions, endpoints, and research trial design. Journal of Interventional Cardiac Electrophysiology, 33, 171–257.
Packer, D. L., Keelan, P., Munger, T. M., Breen, J. F., Asirvatham, S., Peterson, L. A., et al. (2005). Clinical presentation, investigation, and management of pulmonary vein stenosis complicating ablation for atrial fibrillation. Circulation, 111, 546.
Jin, Y., Ross, D. L., & Thomas, S. P. (2004). Pulmonary vein stenosis and remodeling after electrical isolation for treatment of atrial fibrillation. Pacing and Clinical Electrophysiology, 27, 1362–1370.
Latson, L., & Prieto, L. (2007). Congenital and acquired pulmonary vein stenosis. Circulation, 115, 103–108.
Haissaguerre, M., Jais, P., Shah, D., Garrigue, S., Takahashi, A., Lavergne, T., et al. (2000). Electrophysiological endpoint for catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation initiated from multiple pulmonary vein foci. Circulation, 101, 1409–1417.
Dill, T., Neumann, T., Ekinci, O., Breidenbach, C., John, A., Erdogan, A., et al. (2003). Pulmonary vein diameter reduction after radiofrequency catheter ablation for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation evaluated by contrast-enhanced three-dimensional magnetic resonance imaging. Circulation, 107, 845–850.
Pappone, C., Oreto, G., Rosanio, S., Vicedomini, G., Tocchi, M., Gugliotta, F., et al. (2001). Atrial electroanatomic remodeling after circumferential radiofrequency pulmonary vein ablation: efficacy of an anatomic approach in a large cohort of patients with atrial fibrillation. Circulation, 104, 2539–2544.
Gerstenfeld, E. P., Guerra, P., Sparks, P. B., Hattori, K., & Lesh, M. D. (2001). Clinical outcome after radiofrequency catheter ablation of focal atrial fibrillation triggers. Journal of Cardiovascular Electrophysiology, 12, 900–908.
Yu, W. C., Hsu, T. L., Tai, C. T., Tsai, C. F., Hsieh, M. H., Lin, W. S., et al. (2001). Acquired pulmonary vein stenosis after radiofrequency catheter ablation of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. Journal of Cardiovascular Electrophysiology, 12, 887–892.
Saad, E. B., Marrouche, N. F., Saad, C. P., Ha, E., Bash, D., White, R. D., et al. (2003). Pulmonary vein stenosis after catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation: emergence of a new clinical syndrome. Annals of Internal Medicine, 138, 634.
Chen, S. A., Hsieh, M. H., Tai, C. T., Tsai, C. F., Prakash, V. S., Yu, W. C., et al. (1999). Initiation of atrial fibrillation by ectopic beats originating from the pulmonary veins: electrophysiologic characteristics, pharmacological response and effects of radiofrequency ablation. Circulation, 100, 1879–1886.
Pappone, C., Rosanio, S., Oreto, G., Tocchi, M., Gugliotta, F., Vicedomini, G., et al. (2000). Circumferential radiofrequency ablation of pulmonary vein Ostia a New anatomic approach for curing atrial fibrillation. Circulation, 102, 2619–2628.
Arentz, T., Jander, N., Von Rosenthal, J., Blum, T., Furmaier, R., Gornandt, L., et al. (2003). Incidence of pulmonary vein stenosis 2 years after radiofrequency catheter ablation of refractory atrial fibrillation. European Heart Journal, 24, 963–969.
Tse, H. F., Reek, S., Timmermans, C., Lee, K. L., Geller, J. C., Rodriguez, L. M., et al. (2003). Pulmonary vein isolation using transvenous catheter cryoablation for treatment of atrial fibrillation without risk of pulmonary vein stenosis. Journal of the American College of Cardiology, 42, 752–758.
Cappato, R., Calkins, H., Chen, S., Davies, W., Iesaka, Y., Kalman, J., et al. (2005). Worldwide survey on the methods, efficacy, and safety of catheter ablation for human atrial fibrillation. Circulation, 111, 1100–1105.
Marrouche, N. F., Martin, D. O., Wazni, O., Gillinov, A. M., Klein, A., Bhargava, M., et al. (2003). Phased-array intracardiac echocardiography monitoring during pulmonary vein isolation in patients with atrial fibrillation. Circulation, 107, 2710–2716.
Wazni, O. M., Marrouche, N. F., Martin, D. O., Verma, A., Bhargava, M., Saliba, W., et al. (2005). Radiofrequency ablation vs antiarrhythmic drugs as first-line treatment of symptomatic atrial fibrillation. Journal of the American Medical Association, 293, 2634–2640.
Cappato, R., Calkins, H., Chen, S. A., Davies, W., Iesaka, Y., Kalman, J., et al. (2010). Updated worldwide survey on the methods, efficacy, and safety of catheter ablation for human atrial fibrillation. Circulation. Arrhythmia and Electrophysiology, 3, 32–38.
Spragg, D. D., Dalal, D., Cheema, A., Scherr, D., Chilukuri, K., Cheng, A., et al. (2008). Complications of catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation: incidence and predictors. Journal of Cardiovascular Electrophysiology, 19, 627.
Tomborero, D., Mont, L., Nava, S., de Caralt, T. M., Molina, I., Scalise, A., et al. (2005). Incidence of pulmonary vein stenosis in patients submitted to atrial fibrillation ablation: a comparison of the selective segmental ostial ablation vs the circumferential pulmonary veins ablation. Journal of Interventional Cardiac Electrophysiology, 14, 21–25.
Nakagawa, H., Antz, M., Wong, T., Schmidt, B., Ernst, S., Ouyang, F., et al. (2007). Initial experience using a forward directed, high-intensity focused ultrasound balloon catheter for pulmonary vein antrum isolation in patients with atrial fibrillation. Journal of Cardiovascular Electrophysiology, 18, 136–144.
Dong, J., Vasamreddy, C. R., Jayam, V., Dalal, D., Dickfeld, T., Eldadah, Z., et al. (2005). Incidence and predictors of pulmonary vein stenosis following catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation using the anatomic pulmonary vein ablation approach: results from paired magnetic resonance imaging. Journal of Cardiovascular Electrophysiology, 16, 845–852.
Chun, K. J., Schmidt, B., Metzner, A., Tilz, R., Zerm, T., Koster, I., et al. (2009). The ‘single big cryoballoon’ technique for acute pulmonary vein isolation in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation: a prospective observational single centre study. European Heart Journal, 30, 699–709.
Barrett, C. D., Di Biase, L., & Natale, A. (2009). How to identify and treat patient with pulmonary vein stenosis post atrial fibrillation ablation. Current Opinion in Cardiology, 24, 42–49.
Lee, G., Sparks, P. B., Morton, J. B., Kistler, P. M., Vohra, J. K., Medi, C., et al. (2011). Low risk of major complications associated with pulmonary vein antral isolation for atrial fibrillation: results of 500 consecutive ablation procedures in patients with Low prevalence of structural heart disease from a single center. Journal of Cardiovascular Electrophysiology, 22, 163–168.
Holmes, D. R., Monahan, K. H., & Packer, D. (2009). Pulmonary vein stenosis complicating ablation for atrial fibrillation: clinical spectrum and interventional considerations. JACC: Cardiovascular Interventions, 2, 267–276.
Yang, H., Lai, C. K., Patel, J., Moore, J., Chen, P. S., Shivkumar, K., et al. (2007). Irreversible intrapulmonary vascular changes after pulmonary vein stenosis complication catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation. Cardiovascular Pathology, 16, 51–55.
Taylor, G. W., Kay, G. N., Zheng, X., Bishop, S., & Ideker, R. E. (2000). Pathological effects of extensive radiofrequency energy applications in the pulmonary veins in dogs. Circulation, 101, 1736.
Oral, H., Knight, B. P., Tada, H., Ozaydin, M., Chugh, A., Hassan, S., et al. (2002). Pulmonary vein isolation for paroxysmal and persistent atrial fibrillation. Circulation, 105, 1077–1081.
Mansour, M., Holmvang, G., Sosnovik, D., Migrino, R., Abbara, S., Ruskin, J., et al. (2004). Assessment of pulmonary vein anatomic variability by magnetic resonance imaging: implications for catheter ablation techniques for atrial fibrillation. Journal of Cardiovascular Electrophysiology, 15, 387–393.
Saad, E., Rossillo, A., Saad, C. P., Martin, D. O., Bhargava, M., Erciyes, D., et al. (2003). Pulmonary vein stenosis after radiofrequency ablation of atrial fibrillation: functional characterization, evolution, and influence of the ablation strategy. Circulation, 108, 3102–3107.
Qureshi, A. M., Prieto, L. R., Latson, L. A., Lane, G. K., Mesia, C. I., Radvansky, P., et al. (2003). Transcatheter angioplasty for acquired pulmonary vein stenosis after radiofrequency ablation. Circulation, 108, 1336.
Baranowski, B., & Saliba, W. (2011). Our approach to management of patients with pulmonary vein stenosis following AF ablation. Journal of Cardiovascular Electrophysiology, 22, 364–367.
Robbins, I. M., Colvin, E. V., Doyle, T. P., Kemp, W. E., Loyd, J. E., McMahon, W. S., et al. (1998). Pulmonary vein stenosis after catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation. Circulation, 98, 1769–1775.
Porres-Aguilar, M., Fernandez, G., & Elliott, C. G. (2011). Cardiopulmonary hemodynamic clues for pulmonary vein stenosis diagnosis. Pulmonary Circulation, 1, 499–500.
Burgstahler, C., Trabold, T., Kuettner, A., Kopp, A. F., Mewis, C., Kuehlkamp, V., et al. (2005). Visualization of pulmonary vein stenosis after radio frequency ablation using multi-slice computed tomography: initial clinical experience in 33 patients. International Journal of Cardiology, 102, 287–291.
Yamaji, H., Kazuyoshi, H., Kawamura, H., Murakami, T., Murakami, M., Yamamoto, K., et al. (2008). Prone position is essential for detection of pulmonary vein pseudostenosis by enahanced multidetector computed tomography in patients Who undergo a pulmonary vein isolation. Circulation Journal, 72, 1460–1464.
Prieto, L. R., Kawai, Y., & Worley, S. E. (2010). Total pulmonary vein occlusion complicating pulmonary vein isolation: Diagnosis and treatment. Heart Rhythm, 7, 1233–1239.
Stavrakis, S., Madden, G. W., Stoner, J. A., & Sivaram, C. A. (2010). Transesophageal echocardiography for the diagnosis of pulmonary vein stenosis after catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation: a systematic review. Echocardiography, 27, 1141–1146.
Jander, N., Minners, J., Arentz, T., Gornandt, L., Furmaier, R., Kalusche, D., et al. (2005). Transesophageal echocardiography in comparison with magnetic resonance imaging in the diagnosis of pulmonary vein stenosis after radiofrequency ablation therapy. Journal of the American Society of Echocardiography, 18, 654–659.
Prieto, L. R., Schoenhagen, P., Arruda, M. J., Natale, A., & Worley, S. E. (2008). Comparison of stent versus balloon angioplasty for pulmonary vein stenosis complicating pulmonary vein isolation. Journal of Cardiovascular Electrophysiology, 19, 673–678.
Neumann, T., Kuniss, M., Conradi, G., Sperzel, J., Berkowitsch, A., Zaltsberg, S., et al. (2009). Pulmonary vein stenting for the treatment of acquired severe pulmonary vein stenosis after pulmonary vein isolation: clinical implications after long-term follow-up of 4 years. Journal of Cardiovascular Electrophysiology, 20, 251–257.
De Potter, T. J., Schmidt, B., & Chun, K. R. (2011). Drug-eluting stents for the treatment of pulmonary vein stenosis after atrial fibrillation ablation. Europace, 13, 57–61.
Bharat, A., Deirdre, J., Epstein, R. N., Grady, M., Faro, A., Michelson, P., et al. (2013). Lung transplant is a viable treatment option for patients with congenital and acquired pulmonary vein stenosis. The Journal of Heart and Lung Transplantation, 32, 621–625.
Packer, D., Kowal, R. C., Wheelan, K. R., Irwin, J. M., Champagne, J., Guerra, P. G., et al. (2013). Cryoballoon ablation of pulmonary veins for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation: first results of the north american arctic front (STOP AF) pivotal trial. Journal of the American College of Cardiology, 61, 1713–1723.
Von Bary, C., Weber, S., Dornia, C., Eissnert, C., Fellner, C., Latzin, P., et al. (2011). Evaluation of pulmonary vein stenosis after pulmonary vein isolation using a novel circular mapping and ablation catheter (PVAC). Circulation, 4, 630–636.
Lin, Y. J., Tai, C. T., Kao, T., Tso, H. W., Huang, J. L., Higa, S., et al. (2005). Electrophysiological characteristics and catheter ablation in patients with paroxysmal right atrial fibrillation. Circulation, 112, 1692–1700.
Narayan, S. M., Krummen, D. E., Shivkumar, K., Clopton, P., Rappel, W. J., & Miller, J. M. (2012). Treatment of atrial fibrillation by the ablation of localized sources. Journal of the American College of Cardiology, 60, 628–636.
Purerfellner, H., Cihal, R., Aichinger, J., Martinek, M., & Nesser, H. J. (2003). Pulmonary vein stenosis by ostial irrigated-tip ablation: incidence, time course, and prediction. Journal of Cardiovascular Electrophysiology, 14, 158–164.
Acknowledgments
Dr. Narayan is supported, in part, by grants from the NIH (HL83359 and HL103800). He is coauthor of an intellectual property owned by the University of California Regents and licensed to Topera Inc. Topera does not sponsor any research, including that presented here. Dr. Narayan holds equity in Topera, and reports having received honoraria from Medtronic, St. Jude Medical, and Biotronik.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Rostamian, A., Narayan, S.M., Thomson, L. et al. The incidence, diagnosis, and management of pulmonary vein stenosis as a complication of atrial fibrillation ablation. J Interv Card Electrophysiol 40, 63–74 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10840-014-9885-z
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10840-014-9885-z