Key result
Coronary angiography catheter aspiration successfully removes iatrogenic left atrial aeroembolism during AF ablation in dextrocardia.
Why the study?
Air embolus penetrating into heart chambers as a complication during percutaneous radiofrequency catheter ablation has been infrequently reported.
Case Report (n=1)
No
Aspiration is an effective treatment for iatrogenic aeroembolism during catheter ablation in patients with complex anatomy like dextrocardia.
May offer rescue aspiration for left atrial aeroembolism in complex anatomy; single case leaves open validation and safety.
BACKGROUND: Air embolus penetrating into heart chamber as a complication during percutaneous radiofrequency catheter ablation has been infrequently reported. CASE PRESENTATION: A 55-year-old man with dextrocardia who suffered from abdominal pain was suspected to have multiple arterial thromboembolisms, which might have originated from left atrium thrombosis since he had atrial fibrillation. He received oral anticoagulant therapy and catheter ablation of the arrhythmia. During the ablation procedure, an iatrogenic aeroembolism penetrated into the left atrium due to improper operation. Ultimately, the entire air embolus was extracted from the patient, who was free of any aeroembolism events thereafter. CONCLUSIONS: It is essential for an operator to pay full attention to all details of the procedure to avoid an aeroembolism during catheter ablation. In case of aeroembolism, removal by aspiration is an optimal and effective treatment.
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Wang et al. (2017) conducted a case report in Atrial fibrillation and dextrocardia (n=1). Catheter ablation and aspiration of air embolus was evaluated on Successful removal of air embolus. In a 55-year-old man with dextrocardia and atrial fibrillation, an iatrogenic left atrial aeroembolism during catheter ablation was successfully treated by aspiration using a coronary angiography catheter.
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