Iranian Heart Journal

Iranian Heart Journal

Subacute Transient First-Degree AV Block After the Catheter Ablation of a Focal Atrial Tachycardia Originating From the Left Atrium

Document Type : Case Report

Authors
Lucian Muresan 1
Matthieu George 2
Ronan Le Bouar 1
Charline Daval 1
Serban Schiau 1
Crina Muresan 1
Gabriel Cismaru 3
1 “Emile Muller” Hospital, Cardiology Department, 68100 Mulhouse, France.
2 Biosense Webster, Rue Camille Desmoulins 92130 Issy-Les-Moulineaux, France.
3 Rehabilitation Hospital, Cardiology Department, 400347 Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
Abstract
Atrioventricular (AV) block is a rare but severe complication of the catheter ablation of cardiac arrhythmias. It usually occurs during ablation in the right atrium close to the His bundle and the peri-AV nodal area or the left ventricle in the septal basal area. AV block occurring during the deployment of radiofrequency (RF) energy in the left atrium is much rarer and has only exceptionally been described. We present the case of a subacute transient first-degree AV block occurring late (24 h) after the catheter ablation of a symptomatic incessant focal atrial tachycardia originating from the left atrium. Spontaneous resolution of the AV block with the recovery of normal AV conduction was observed 7 days after the procedure. This case report highlights the fact that care must be exercised while performing RF ablation on the left atrial septum since AV block can occur during the ablation of areas close to the AV node. (Iranian Heart Journal 2023; 24(4): 79-84)
Keywords
atrio-ventricular block
left atrial tachycardia
catheter ablation
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Iranian Heart Journal
Volume 24, Issue 4
Autumn 2023
Pages 79-84