Key result
Cryoballoon pulmonary vein isolation unmasks an acute gastric phytobezoar successfully treated with carbonated beverages.
Why the study?
Gastric hypomotility from periesophageal vagal injury is an uncommon extracardiac effect of left atrial ablation, and its association with a gastric phytobezoar is unusual.
Case Report (n=1)
No
Post-ablation gastric hypomotility can unmask a pre-existing gastric phytobezoar, highlighting the need to carefully review initial CT imaging for mottled intragastric masses with entrapped gas rather than dismissing them as simple retained food when symptoms persist.
May warrant CT re-review for intragastric masses with persistent post-cryoballoon PVI symptoms; leaves open need for prospective validation.
After cryoballoon pulmonary vein isolation, acute gastric hypomotility progressed to phytobezoar formation. The admission CT had already shown a mottled intragastric mass with entrapped gas, initially interpreted as retained food; when post-ablation symptoms persist, clinicians should re-examine the original imaging before escalating therapy.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Dalgıç et al. (2026) conducted a case report in Atrial fibrillation complicated by post-ablation acute gastric hypomotility and gastric phytobezoar (n=1). Cryoballoon pulmonary vein isolation followed by chemical bezoar dissolution (low-fiber diet, carbonated beverages, and nasogastric soda lavage) was evaluated on Resolution of symptoms and regression of gastric phytobezoar on follow-up endoscopy. Cryoballoon pulmonary vein isolation in a 62-year-old woman led to acute gastric hypomotility unmasking a phytobezoar, which resolved within 2 weeks with carbonated beverage dissolution.
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: