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An unusual complication of a pulmonary vein isolation

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Abstract

A 59 year old patient with drug refractory paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF) was referred for a pulmonary vein isolation (PVI). He complained of severe chest pain during the procedure. Subtle ST segment elevation was noted in the high lateral territory (I & aVL). He had no risk factors for coronary artery disease. The event occurred prior to any ablation within the left atrium (LA). He was haemodynamically stable (159/95 mmHg) and a pericardial effusion was excluded with transthoracic echocardiography. A coronary angiogram showed focal occlusion within a distal branch of the 1st diagonal. We discuss possible mechanisms for this unusual complication.

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Acknowledgements

The authors wish to thank Dr C McClellan and Dr G Adams for their advice in drafting this manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Arrhythmia Service, Kingston General Hospital, Queen’s University, FAPC 3, 76 Stuart Street, Kingston, Ontario, Canada, K7L 2V7

    Kevin A. Michael, Damian P. Redfearn, Christopher S. Simpson & Adrian Baranchuk

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  1. Kevin A. Michael
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  2. Damian P. Redfearn
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  3. Christopher S. Simpson
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  4. Adrian Baranchuk
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Correspondence to Adrian Baranchuk.

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Michael, K.A., Redfearn, D.P., Simpson, C.S. et al. An unusual complication of a pulmonary vein isolation. J Interv Card Electrophysiol 25, 203–205 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10840-008-9357-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10840-008-9357-4

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