Coronary artery dissection after surgical cryoablation procedure.
Cryoablation can be used to treat atrial fibrillation (AF) surgically. We describe a 71-year-old woman who underwent cryoablation after 6 months of AF. Four hours post-surgery, electrocardiographic changes were observed in the circumflex artery territory associated with hemodynamic instability, which responded to inotropic agents. Angiography revealed a diffuse circumflex artery spasm with a heterogeneous aspect of the posterior branch evoking a dissection. Platelet anti-aggregant and trinitrine therapy were started. Recovery was uneventful and the patient was discharged on day 13. Cryoablation-associated circumflex artery dissection is rare. Caution is required when locating the ablation lines to avoid coronary artery injury.
Doguet
Fabien
F
Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Rouen University Hospital, Rouen, France. fabien.doguet@chu-rouen.fr
Le Guillou
Vincent
V
Litzler
Pierre Yves
PY
Bouchart
François
F
Nafeh-Bizet
Catherine
C
Cribier
Alain
A
Bessou
Jean Paul
JP
D000368:Aged; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000601:surgery; D003331:Coronary Vessels / Q000293:injuries*; D003452:Cryosurgery / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans