title: Spontaneous adrenal haemorrhage after catheter ablation of supraventricular tachycardia.
abstract: Catheter ablation is established as a first-line therapy for most patients with recurrent supraventricular tachycardia (SVT), with high success rates and very low complication rates. A 60-year-old woman developed severe right flank pain following straightforward catheter ablation for SVT. This was caused by a spontaneous right adrenal haemorrhage, which, after much delay, was eventually recognised as the cause of her symptoms. Adrenal haematomas are rare and, to the best of our knowledge, this is the first reported case of spontaneous adrenal haemorrhage occurring after any interventional cardiac procedure. Clinicians should be aware of this rare but potentially serious complication and consider it as a differential diagnosis in any patient with severe flank pain following interventional cardiac procedures, to prevent delays in diagnosis.
authors.affiliation: National University Heart Centre, National University Hospital, Singapore, Singapore.
authors.forename: William
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Kristanto
authors.affiliation: National University Heart Centre, National University Hospital, Singapore, Singapore.
authors.forename: Po Fun
authors.initials: PF
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, National University Hospital, Singapore, Singapore.
authors.forename: Siew Swan
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Yeong
authors.affiliation: National University Heart Centre, National University Hospital, Singapore, Singapore.
authors.forename: Pipin
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kojodjojo
mesh_terms: D000307:Adrenal Gland Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology*; D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017115:Catheter Ablation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004562:Electrocardiography; D005260:Female; D006470:Hemorrhage / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009020:Morphine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000188:drug therapy*; D054328:Proton Pump Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013617:Tachycardia, Supraventricular / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000701:Analgesics, Opioid; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D054328:Proton Pump Inhibitors; D009020:Morphine