Key result
RF ablation for AF is linked to severe multivessel coronary spasm leading to VF and shock.
Why the study?
With increasing radiofrequency ablation procedures for atrial fibrillation, awareness of rare but severe complications like multi-vessel coronary spasm is important.
Case Report (n=1)
Multi-vessel coronary spasm is a rare, life-threatening complication of atrial fibrillation ablation that requires early recognition and termination of the procedure at the earliest signs of ischemia.
May warrant vigilance for ischemia in AF ablation; leaves open incidence and prevention in larger cohorts.
Radiofrequency ablation is one of the alternative treatment strategies in patients with atrial fibrillation. With the increasing number of such ablation procedures being performed it is important for the physicians to be aware of the associated complications. We present a very rare case of severe triple coronary vessel spasm during radiofrequency catheter ablation. The procedure was complicated by cardiac arrest secondary to ventricular fibrillation and cardiogenic shock requiring subsequent management with a temporary mechanical circulatory support device. Multi-vessel spasm is a rare and life-threatening complication leading to ventricular fibrillation and cardiac arrest. One should be extra vigilant in monitoring patients during extensive ablations and the procedure should be terminated at the earliest signs of ischemia in order to prevent this rare but fatal complication.
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Guragai et al. (2020) conducted a case report in Atrial fibrillation (n=1). Radiofrequency catheter ablation was evaluated on Severe triple coronary vessel spasm, cardiac arrest, and cardiogenic shock. Radiofrequency catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation can be complicated by severe multi-vessel coronary spasm leading to ventricular fibrillation and cardiogenic shock.
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