Sinus node dysfunction characterized by reduction only in maximum heart rate during exercise after superior vena cava isolation in atrial fibrillation catheter ablation—A potential complication
Tatsuya Hayashi, Akira Mizukami, Shunsuke Kuroda, Akihiko Matsumura, Masahiko Goya, Tetsuo Sasano
Abstract
The superior vena cava (SVC) is one of the most common sites of non–pulmonary vein (PV) foci in atrial fibrillation (AF), and SVC isolation is an established ablation strategy for AF patients who have foci arising from the SVC.1,2 While iatrogenic sick sinus syndrome requiring pacemaker implantation is known as a possible complication of SVC isolation,3 sinus node dysfunction characterized by preserved heart rate (HR) at rest but inability to increase HR during exercise (chronotropic incompetence) has never been reported.
Topics & Concepts
MedicineCardiologyInternal medicineAtrial fibrillationSuperior vena cavaSick sinus syndromePulmonary veinAblationCatheter ablationComplicationCatheterAnesthesiaSurgeryAtrial Fibrillation Management and OutcomesCardiac Arrhythmias and TreatmentsCardiac pacing and defibrillation studies