Key result
PFA terminates recurrent perimitral atrial flutter at the vein of Marshall after failed RF ablation.
Why the study?
Perimitral atrial flutter involving the vein of Marshall remains a therapeutic challenge, and the role of pulsed field ablation in its treatment is unclear.
Does pulsed field ablation terminate perimitral atrial flutter involving the vein of Marshall in a patient with recurrent arrhythmias?
Case Report (n=1)
Does pulsed field ablation terminate perimitral atrial flutter involving the vein of Marshall in a patient with recurrent arrhythmias?
Pulsed field ablation may be an effective strategy for targeting the endocardial insertion site of the vein of Marshall in patients with VOM-mediated perimitral atrial flutter.
May offer an option for refractory perimitral flutter after failed RF; hypothesis-generating pending prospective trials.
BACKGROUND: Perimitral atrial flutter (PMF) involving the vein of Marshall (VOM) remains a therapeutic challenge. The role of pulsed field ablation (PFA) in the treatment of PMF is unclear. CASE PRESENTATION: A 65-year-old male was admitted with a 7-year history of palpitations. He had undergone three previous radiofrequency ablation procedures for atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter (AFL). He was readmitted due to recurrent AFL, with an electrocardiogram indicating atypical AFL. A three-dimensional electrophysiological activation map of the left atrium revealed a macro-reentrant circuit consistent with clockwise PMF. This was characterized by gaps in color isochrones and a total mapped activation time that was shorter than the tachycardia cycle length. The earliest activation was observed at the CS 5-6 electrodes, where a distinct double atrial potential was also recorded. These findings suggested an epicardial connection from the VOM to the circuit. PFA using the VARIPULSE PFA was successfully used to terminate the AFL at the VOM's endocardial insertion site into the left atrium. CONCLUSION: In our case, PFA appears to be a safe and effective strategy for targeting the endocardial insertion site of the VOM for VOM-mediated PMF.
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Bao et al. (2026) conducted a case report in Perimitral atrial flutter involving the vein of Marshall (n=1). Pulsed field ablation (PFA) using VARIPULSE PFA was evaluated on Termination of atrial flutter. Pulsed field ablation successfully terminated recurrent perimitral atrial flutter at the vein of Marshall's endocardial insertion site in a patient with prior failed radiofrequency ablations.
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