Why the study?
WPW syndrome with AF can be life-threatening and catheter ablation is the priority, but accessory pathways may be located in the posterior septum requiring alternative ablation sites.
In patients with WPW and AF where endocardial ablation of a posteroseptal accessory pathway fails, mapping and ablation within the middle cardiac vein can be successful.
Background Wolf-Parkinson-White (WPW) syndrome with atrial fibrillation (AF) may be life threatening and catheter ablation is the top priority choice. Accessory pathways (APs) in this patient may locate in the posterior septum. We present a successful case of WPW with AF, which we ablated inside the middle cardiac vein (MCV). Case Summary The report describes a case of WPW syndrome that was ablated within the MCV. A 42 male was referred to our hospital for palpitation and hypotension. After electrical cardioversion, a 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) in sinus rhythm showed preexcitation indicating a posteroseptal AP. Ablation in the right posterior septum of the endocardium could not completely block the conduction of AP and the best target site was mapped within MCV. The successful ablation sites were confirmed in MCV by angiography and AF never appeared during follow-up. Conclusion When ablation of the posterior septum for APs from an endocardial approach has failed, venography should be performed to assess CS anatomy and mapping should be performed within the CS and its major branches. In young patients with AF and preexcitation, ablation of APs can prevent AF.
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A 2023 study studied this question.
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