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Cardiomyopathy induced by pulmonary vein tachycardia cured by catheter ablation

Nature Clinical Practice Cardiovascular Medicine volume 5, pages 406–410 (2008)Cite this article

Abstract

Background A 51-year-old male was referred for consideration for heart transplantation because of recently diagnosed congestive heart failure refractory to medical therapy. Previous echocardiography demonstrated a left ventricular ejection fraction of approximately 15% with global hypokinesia. Coronary angiography did not reveal any clinically significant obstructive coronary artery disease and an electrocardiogram documented atrial fibrillation with a rapid ventricular rate of 130 beats/min. Other laboratory tests including thyroid function test were unremarkable. The patient's main complaints were dyspnea on exertion, and orthopnea with minimal palpitations.

Investigations Physical examination, laboratory testing, electrocardiography, Holter monitoring, chest radiography, transthoracic echocardiography, transesophageal echocardiography, coronary angiogram, and electrophysiologic study with catheter ablation.

Diagnosis Cardiomyopathy resulting from pulmonary vein tachycardia.

Management Catheter-based radiofrequency ablation of the focus of pulmonary vein tachycardia.

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Figure 1: A 12-lead surface electrocardiogram demonstrating an episode of atrial tachycardia.
Figure 2: Localization of the tachycardia focus to the right upper pulmonary-vein.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. XK Liu is a Cardiologist currently pursuing advanced electrophysiology training, BJ Gersh is Professor of Medicine, and YM Cha is a Staff Consultant and Assistant Professor, at the Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, MN, USA.,

    Xiao-Ke Liu, Bernard J Gersh & Yong-Mei Cha

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  1. Xiao-Ke Liu
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  2. Bernard J Gersh
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  3. Yong-Mei Cha
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Correspondence to Yong-Mei Cha.

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The authors declare no competing financial interests.

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Liu, XK., Gersh, B. & Cha, YM. Cardiomyopathy induced by pulmonary vein tachycardia cured by catheter ablation. Nat Rev Cardiol 5, 406–410 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1038/ncpcardio1243

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