A rare focal atrial tachycardia arising from the proximal middle cardiac vein: a case report

Abstract

Abstract Background Focal atrial tachycardia (FAT) always originates from atrium specific sites and can be successfully cured by radiofrequency (RF) ablation. However, the middle cardiac vein (MCV) is a rare site of focal atrial tachycardia. Herein, we present a case of a 20-year-old young woman with FAT. Electrophysiological examination showed FAT arising from the proximal middle cardiac vein (pMCV), and successful RF ablation was applied with a low power and short-ablation. Case presentation A 20-year-old woman with no structural heart disease suffered recurrent supraventricular tachycardia for 1 year. Physical examination, laboratory studies and the echocardiography results of this patient were normal. A 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) showed a narrow QRS and long RP tachycardia which was always triggered by a sinus rhythm. The patient underwent an electrophysiological study and found the earliest activation was in the proximal MCV (pMCV). After a low power and short-ablation, AT was terminated and noninducible by programmed pacing with or without isoproterenol infusion. Conclusion This case presented a rare case of FAT arising from the pMCV. We demonstrate that low power and short-ablation are effective in AT arising from specific areas such as the coronary sinus ostium and pMCV.

Keywords

• Case report
• Focal atrial tachycardia
• Radiofrequency ablation
• Catheter ablation
• Proximal middle cardiac vein