What question did this study set out to answer?

To demonstrate the effectiveness of pulsed field ablation in terminating atrial fibrillation associated with persistent left superior vena cava.

March 4, 2026Open Access

Pulsed Field Ablation Terminated Atrial Fibrillation Triggered by Persistent Left Superior Vena Cava: A Case Report.

Key Result

Pulsed Field Ablation terminated incessant atrial fibrillation triggered by persistent left superior vena cava in a 73-year-old patient during re-intervention.

Key Points

To demonstrate the effectiveness of pulsed field ablation in terminating atrial fibrillation associated with persistent left superior vena cava.
Case report involving a 73-year-old patient with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation and recurrence.
Preprocedural evaluation through echocardiography and computed tomography identified persistent left superior vena cava.
Use of a circular array PFA catheter for re-intervention during the procedure.
Incessant atrial fibrillation was induced during the pulsed field ablation procedure.
PFA effectively terminated atrial fibrillation within the distal part of the persistent left superior vena cava.
High-frequency fragmented electrograms were identified, suggesting successful ablation.

Structured PICO

Does a circular array Pulsed Field Ablation (PFA) catheter successfully terminate atrial fibrillation triggered by a persistent left superior vena cava?

Population

A 73-year-old patient (n=1) with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF), a history of two prior ablation procedures with recurrence, and persistent left superior vena cava (PLSVC).

Intervention

Circular array Pulsed Field Ablation (PFA) catheter applied for re-intervention within the distal part of the persistent left superior vena cava (PLSVC).

Outcome

Termination of incessant atrial fibrillation during the procedure.

A circular array pulsed field ablation catheter can effectively terminate atrial fibrillation triggered by a persistent left superior vena cava.

Main Result

Absolute Event Rate: 0% vs 0%

Abstract

A 73-year-old patient with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF) and a history of two ablation procedures was referred to our center due to recurrence. Persistent left superior vena cava (PLSVC) was revealed in preprocedural echocardiography and computed tomography. A circular array Pulsed Field Ablation (PFA) catheter was applied for the re-intervention. Incessant AF was induced during the procedure. PFA successfully terminated AF within the distal part of PLSVC, where high-frequency fragmented electrograms were found, demonstrating the efficacy of circular array PFA catheter for the ablation within PLSVC.