Key result
Post-AF ablation pulmonary vein stenosis can mimic lung cancer, requiring dedicated imaging to avoid delays.
Case Report (n=1)
Pulmonary vein stenosis should be considered in the differential diagnosis for patients presenting with lung cancer-like symptoms after radiofrequency ablation for atrial fibrillation to avoid diagnostic delays.
Pulmonary vein stenosis merits consideration in post-ablation lung cancer-like presentations; case report leaves open prospective validation of diagnostic approaches.
A woman in her 50s presented with a two-month history of haemoptysis, dyspnea, cough and weight loss. She had recently undergone radiofrequency ablation for atrial fibrillation. A computed tomography (CT) scan of her chest showed left upper lobe opacity, mediastinal lymphadenopathy, and left pleural effusion, concerning for malignancy. Bronchoscopy revealed a malignant-appearing lesion that was negative for malignancy on biopsy. Despite improvement of the CT abnormalities and the lesion on a repeat bronchoscopy, she continued to experience recurrent episodes of dyspnea and haemoptysis. A ventilation/perfusion scan showed decreased perfusion to her left lung. A CT pulmonary angiogram with pulmonary vein phase established the diagnosis of pulmonary vein stenosis. This case highlights the necessity of considering pulmonary vein stenosis in patients post-ablation presenting with features suggestive of lung cancer to avoid unnecessary delays in diagnosis and treatment.
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Moran‐Mendoza et al. (2025) conducted a case report in Pulmonary vein stenosis (n=1). Radiofrequency catheter ablation was evaluated. Pulmonary vein stenosis after radiofrequency ablation for atrial fibrillation can present with features mimicking lung cancer, requiring specific imaging to avoid diagnostic delays.
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