Epicardial connection(s) inside the pulmonary vein antrum isolation lines contribute to subsequent atrial fibrillation: a case report.

ABSTRACT:

Aims

Recent reports have demonstrated that ∼10% of patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) have epicardial connections (ECs) inside the pulmonary vein (PV) antrum isolation (AI) (PVAI) lines, which could be a possible mechanism of failure to achieve a complete PVAI, thus contributing to AF recurrence.

Case summary

We present an 80-year-old female case with consistently continuing AF associated with ECs. Epicardial connections involving the PVs were detected in the left and right superior PVs after the completion of the PVAI. The AF steadily terminated after the ablation of those ECs. She has remained well without any AF or symptoms for 2 years post-ablation.

Discussion

Those ECs might have played a possible important role in initiating and maintaining the AF. The mecha

SUBMITTER: Fujiwara M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10113932 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature