Cardiomyopathy induced by pulmonary vein tachycardia cured by catheter ablation.
BACKGROUND
A 51-year-old male was referred for consideration for heart transplantation because of recently diagnosed congestive heart failure refractory to medical therapy. Previous echocardiography demonstrated a left ventricular ejection fraction of approximately 15% with global hypokinesia. Coronary angiography did not reveal any clinically significant obstructive coronary artery disease and an electrocardiogram documented atrial fibrillation with a rapid ventricular rate of 130 beats/min. Other laboratory tests including thyroid function test were unremarkable. The patient's main complaints were dyspnea on exertion, and orthopnea with minimal palpitations.


METHODS
Physical examination, laboratory testing, electrocardiography, Holter monitoring, chest radiography, transthoracic echocardiography, transesophageal echocardiography, coronary angiogram, and electrophysiologic study with catheter ablation.


METHODS
Cardiomyopathy resulting from pulmonary vein tachycardia.


RESULTS
Catheter-based radiofrequency ablation of the focus of pulmonary vein tachycardia.
Division of Cardiovascular Diseases, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA.
Xiao-Ke
XK
Liu
Bernard J
BJ
Gersh
Yong-Mei
YM
Cha
D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000601:surgery*; D009202:Cardiomyopathies / Q000209:etiology*; D017115:Catheter Ablation; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011667:Pulmonary Veins / Q000601:surgery*; D013610:Tachycardia / Q000150:complications* / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome