Recurrent dyspnea following multiple ablations for atrial fibrillation explained by the "stiff left atrial syndrome".
We present the case of a patient who underwent repeated ablations for atrial fibrillation and presented with recurrent dyspnea, elevated left atrial pressure with large V waves in the absence of mitral regurgitation. This case provides an example of "stiff left atrial syndrome" as has been described in patients with mitral valve replacement and only recently in patients with radiofrequency ablations for atrial fibrillation.
The Division of Cardiovascular Diseases and Department of Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic and Mayo Foundation, Rochester, Minnesota; the Division of Cardiology University of Alabama at Birmingham.
Chance
C
Witt
Brian
B
Powell
David
D
Holmes
Oluseun
O
Alli
D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D016279:Atrial Function, Left; D062185:Atrial Pressure; D017115:Catheter Ablation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003187:Compliance; D004417:Dyspnea / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005355:Fibrosis; D006325:Heart Atria / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012008:Recurrence; D012086:Reoperation; D013577:Syndrome; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed