Single catheter ablation of atrioventricular node in a patient with dextrocardia and permanent atrial fibrillation via peripheral vascular access using remote magnetic navigation: a case report.

Abstract

Background: Cardiac interventions may be challenging in patients with congenital cardiac abnormalities. This case reports cardiac resynchronization therapy pacemaker (CRT-P) implantation and single catheter ablation of atrioventricular node (AVN) with remote magnetic navigation (RMN) via peripheral vascular access in a patient with Kartagener's syndrome and permanent atrial fibrillation (AF).

Case summary: A 74-year-old male with situs inversus presented for treatment of permanent AF and severe heart failure. In echocardiography, left ventricular ejection fraction was 30%, and there was severe dyskinesia due to a left bundle branch block. After successful CRT-P implantation, we performed AVN ablation because biventricular (BiV) pacing was <75% despite maximal rate control medication. The ablation catheter was inserted from the right basilic vein, and no other catheters were used. Despite peripheral vascular access, manipulation of the ablation catheter with RMN was easy, and the ablation was successful. After the ablation, BiV pacing instantly increased to 100%, and left ventricular function and symptomatic status improved gradually.

Conclusions: Cardiac resynchronization therapy pacemaker implantation and RMN-guided single catheter ablation of the AVN in a patient with dextrocardia via peripheral vascular access was effective and safe. The use of RMN and peripheral vascular access may offer important advantages also in other patient groups.