Catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation in a patient with interruption of the inferior vena cava complicated with persistent left superior vena cava.

A 55-year-old woman of I-IVC complicated with PLSVC underwent catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation through right jugular vein access. TSP was achieved by electrocautery and the J-tip guidewire with the help of deflectable sheath and ICE. After PVI, the CS-PLSVC and LA-PLSVC connections were ablated within PLSVC.

Radiofrequency ablation for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation in a patient with dextrocardia and interruption of the inferior vena cava: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Dextrocardia with interruption of the inferior vena cava (I-IVC) is a very rare anatomical variant. Catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation (AF) in patients with this anatomical variant is challenging for electrophysiologists. This case report presents a safe, effective, and radiation-free approach for high-power ablation of AF via a superior transseptal approach in patients with dextrocardia and I-IVC. CASE SUMMARY: A 57-year-old man with paroxysmal AF with dextrocardia and I-IVC with azygos continuation was referred to our hospital for radiofrequency (RF) ablation. It was evident that transseptal puncture and pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) would be impossible using an IVC approach via the femoral vein. Therefore, we decided to perform left atrium (LA) ablation via the superior vena cava approach. A phased array intracardiac echocardiography (ICE) catheter was inserted in the right femoral vein. Three-dimensional (3D) anatomical reconstruction of LA, right atrium (RA), and coronary sinus (CS) ostium were performed using ICE with azygos vein and RA imaging. Navigation-enabled electrodes were inserted into annotated CS on cardiac 3D ICE image. The left internal jugular vein was accessed using an SL1 transseptal sheath and Brockenbrough needle. Transseptal puncture was performed under ICE with an RF-assisted approach. We accomplished ablation index guided high-power pulmonary vein isolation using a bi-directional guiding sheath with visualization capabilities and a surround flow contact force-sensing catheter. No complications occurred during or after the procedure. DISCUSSION: With the application of multitude of newer technologies, we can accomplish safe, effective, and fluoroscopy-free RF ablation of AF using the superior approach in patients with complex anomaly.

Venous drainage for minithoracotomy approach in an adult with interrupted inferior vena cava.

For atrial septal defect closure via right minithoracotomy in an adult patient with infra-hepatic interruption of the inferior vena cava with azygos connection, an alternative venous cannulation strategy was applied. In addition to bicaval cannulations to the femoral vein and the internal jugular vein, a 20 Fr straight cannula draining the hepatic vein was added to the proximal IVC through the right atrium wall via a working port. A bloodless operative field in the right atrium was afforded with bicaval encircling. Preoperative imaging test of the continuity of the IVC was important planning cardiac surgery with peripheral cannulations.

Filtro de vena cava inferior, resultados a mediano y largo plazo / Inferior vena cava filter medium to long-term results

Resumen Introducción: El tromboembolismo pulmonar sin tratamiento, presenta un riesgo de recurrencia del 20%, con una mortalidad del 18% al 26%, en pacientes con embolia pulmonar donde esta contraindica o fracasa la anticoagulación, es necesario interrumpir parcialmente la vena cava inferior, siendo los filtros de vena cava la alternativa más utilizada. Objetivo: Analizar las variables epidemiológicas involucradas en la enfermedad tromboembólica y los resultados de la inserción del filtro de vena cava inferior. Materiales y Método: Estudio retrospectivo, observacional y descriptivo, donde se analiza la inserción sucesiva de 82 filtros de vena cava inferior, en un período de 10 años (2009 al 2019), en el Hospital Dr. Eduardo Pereira de Valparaíso, Chile. Resultados: Sexo femenino 53,6%, edad promedio 60,4 años (rango 19-86), la principal causa para desarrollar enfermedad tromboembólica fueron las enfermedades oncológicas (56,09%), la principal vía de acceso fue la vena femoral común (69,51%), localización del filtro suprarrenal (4,87%), se obtuvo un seguimiento actualizado en el 89,02%, la supervivencia a 5 años fue de 73,17% y a 10 años de 57,32%, morbilidad en relación al procedimiento (9,75%), éxito del procedimiento (97,5%), no hubo mortalidad relacionada. Discusión: Los grandes ensayos, demuestran el beneficio de la interrupción de la vena cava inferior mediante filtros, especialmente en pacientes oncológicos, con elevado riesgo de embolia pulmonar. Conclusión: La inserción de un filtro de vena cava inferior, adecuadamente indicado, es un procedimiento mínimamente invasivo, de bajo riesgo y con excelentes resultados en la profilaxis de la embolia pulmonar.

Introduction: Pulmonary thromboembolism without treatment presents a risk of recurrence of 20%, with a mortality of 18% to 26%. In patients with pulmonary embolism, when anticoagulation therapy is contraindicated or failed, it is necessary to intervene partially the inferior vena cava on which cava vein filters are the main used alternative. Aim: Analyze the epidemiological variables involved on thromboembolic disease, and the outcomes of the inferior vena cava filter insertions. Materials and Method: Retrospective, observational and descriptive study, which analyzes the successive insertion of 82 inferior vena cava filters, over a period of 10 years (2009 to 2019), in the Dr. Eduardo Pereira Hospital, Valparaíso, Chile. Results: Female sex 53.6%, average age 60.4 years (range 19-86), the main cause to develop thromboembolic disease were oncological diseases (56.09%); the main access path was the common femoral vein (69.51%); in a 4.87% the location of the filter was suprarenal. Complete follow-up was obtained in 89.02% of the cases, 5-year survival with 73.17% ratio and 10-years survival of 57.32%, morbidity in relation to the procedure was 9.75%; success of the procedure 97.5%; there was no mortality related. Discussion: Large studies demonstrate the benefits of interruption on the inferior vena cava through filters, especially in cancer patients with high risk of pulmonary embolism. Conclusion: The insertion of an inferior vena cava filter when indication is adequate, is a minimally invasive procedure with low risk and excellent results in the prophylaxis of pulmonary embolism.

Remote magnetic navigation ablation via the right jugular vein approach in patient with interruption of the inferior vena cava and incessant left atrial flutter.

Remote magnetic navigation (RMN) can be safely and effectively utilized in patients with difficult cardiac arrhythmias and complex anatomy. Interruption of the inferior vena cava (IVC) is a rare congenital abnormality that results in the inability to use conventional femoral access in patients that require interventional procedures. The present case demonstrates the feasibility of left atrial flutter ablation using RMN via jugular approach in a patient with interruption of IVC.

Transseptal puncture and catheter ablation via the superior vena cava approach for persistent atrial fibrillation in a patient with polysplenia syndrome and interruption of the inferior vena cava: contact force-guided pulmonary vein isolation.

AIMS: We sought to establish the technical feasibility of transseptal puncture and left atrial (LA) ablation through the right internal jugular vein via the superior vena cava (SVC) approach in patients with an interrupted inferior vena cava (IVC). METHODS AND RESULTS: A 34-year-old man with persistent atrial fibrillation (AF) and polysplenia syndrome (hypoplasia of the left kidney, aplasia of the pancreas tail, bilaterally bilobed lungs, and an interrupted IVC) was referred to our hospital for radiofrequency ablation. Because transseptal puncture and LA ablation would be impossible by a standard IVC approach via the femoral vein, we performed transseptal puncture and LA ablation through the right internal jugular vein via the SVC approach using a manually curved Brockenbrough needle and intracardiac echocardiographic guidance. We accomplished pulmonary vein (PV) isolation using a deflectable guiding sheath and a contact force-sensing ablation catheter to monitor the contact force and the force-time integral of the tip of the ablation catheter. No complications occurred during or after the procedure. The patient was discharged home without recurrence of AF 3 days after the procedure. He had no recurrence of AF and was taking no medication 5 months after ablation. CONCLUSIONS: We successfully performed transseptal puncture in a patient with persistent AF, polysplenia syndrome, and complete interruption of the IVC using the superior route through the internal jugular vein. We also accomplished PV isolation using a deflectable guiding sheath and real-time monitoring of the contact force of the ablation catheter.

To uncover what is unknown or forgotten - cardiac magnetic resonance in the identification of vascular pathologies in patients after tetralogy of Fallot repair.

INTRODUCTION: In patients with repaired tetralogy of Fallot (TOF), various pathologies of the vascular system (both arterial and venous) may be present as a result of the previous therapeutic procedures or due to the congenital disease itself. Because of the limited diagnostic capabilities in the past, lacking surgical reports of patients operated on several decades ago and/or a long time since a corrective procedure, some of these pathologies/anomalies may remain unknown. AIM: To identify selected vascular pathologies with the use of cardiac magnetic resonance in patients after TOF repair. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We included 208 consecutive patients (median age 24.9 years, interquartile range 20.5-36.7; 126 (60.6%) males) with repaired TOF undergoing cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging. RESULTS: Significant unexpected vascular pathologies/anomalies were found in 30 patients (14.4%) and included: uni- or bilateral occlusion of the subclavian artery (n = 20), persistent left superior vena cava (n = 7, in 1 case draining into the left atrium), occluded subclavian vein (n = 1), and interruption of the inferior vena cava (n = 2). Additionally, 1 patient with the left subclavian artery occluded had an occlusion of the brachiocephalic vein. In none of the patients was the information about the uncovered pathology/anomaly present either in the referral information or in the present medical history. CONCLUSIONS: The CMR in patients with repaired TOF may uncover some pathologies/anomalies which were unknown or forgotten at the time of patients' referral for the study, and which may have a significant impact on patient management.