Pulmonary vein isolation through superior vena cava in case of interrupted inferior vena cava - case report

Abstract

Pulmonary vein isolation is a primary therapeutical option for controlling atrial fibrillation, particularly in cases complicated with heart failure or previously ineffective pharmacological antiarrhythmic treatment. Different techniques share the punction of the femoral vein followed by the insertion of endocardial catheters through the inferior vena cava. When an interrupted vena cava inferior is present, another approach is needed to reach the target area for ablation. We present a case and the circumstances of a 48-year-old female, when transjugular pulmonary vein isolation was performed due to persistent atrial fibrillation.

Keywords

• atrial fibrillation
• catheter ablation
• interrupted inferior vena cava
• alternative approach
• transseptal puncture