Lobectomy due to Pulmonary Vein Occlusion after Radiofrequency Ablation for Atrial Fibrillation

ABSTRACT

Radiofrequency ablation is an effective treatment for atrial fibrillation. Pulmonary vein stenosis/occlusion is one of its rare complications. Herein, the case of a 50-year-old man with hemoptysis and migratory pulmonary infiltrations after transcatheter radiofrequency ablation for atrial fibrillation is presented. Initially, pneumonia, interstitial pulmonary disease, or lung cancer was suspected, but wedge resection revealed hemorrhagic infiltrations. Chest computed tomography pulmonary angiography detected no left superior pulmonary vein due to its total occlusion, and left upper lobectomy was performed. Post-ablation pulmonary vein occlusion must be strongly suspected in cases of migratory pulmonary infiltrations and/or hemoptysis.