Cryoballoon ablation of focal atrial tachycardia originating from right atrial appendage: Case report and review of the literature

Abstract

The right atrial appendage (RAA) is a rare site of focal atrial tachycardia (AT). Sometimes, catheter ablation cannot successfully be accomplished at this location due to the difficulty in reaching the exact ablation site as well as the associated possible life-threatening complications like pericardial tamponade or perforation. Although radiofrequency (RF) ablation is preferred for the treatment of RAA tachycardias, alternative tools may be required in rare instances. This report presents a case of RAA tachycardia that was not terminated by RF ablation, instead, has been successfully ablated using cryoballoon. In addition, an overview of the literature and therapeutic options for the AT originating from RAA have also been included. Keywords: Atrial tachycardia, Cryoballoon, Right atrial appendage, Tachycardiomyopathy