Catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation via superior approach in patients with interruption of the inferior vena cava.

BACKGROUND: Percutaneous transcatheter ablation of atrial fibrillation (AF) in patients with interruption of inferior vena cava (IVC) has not been reported in the literature.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this article was to demonstrate the safety and feasibility of the superior approach via the right internal jugular vein in performing catheter ablation of AF.

METHODS: We performed AF ablation in 3 patients (mean age: 51.7 +/- 18.5 years, 2 paroxysmal AF and 1 persistent AF) with complete interruption of IVC. Transseptal puncture was performed via the right internal jugular vein with a long sheath and manually curved Brockenbrough needle to facilitate the tip downward to the FO. Three-dimensional (3D) mapping was performed in 2 patients. Electrical isolation of each pulmonary vein (PV) was confirmed by a circular mapping catheter. Bidirectional block at the RA isthmus was achieved in 1 patient with clinically documented typical atrial flutter.

RESULTS: In all patients, AF ablation after transseptal puncture via the superior approach was successfully performed without complications. Selective PV isolation of arrhythmogenic PV was done in 1 patient, and circumferential bilateral antral ablations were done in 2 patients. In 1 patient with persistent AF, linear ablations of left atrial roof and perimitral and RA isthmus were done after electrical isolation of all PVs. At a mean follow-up of 18.7 +/- 15.5 months, arrhythmias were free without any antiarrhythmic drugs in all patients.

CONCLUSION: AF ablation via the superior approach is a safe and feasible alternative technique when a femoral venous approach is not available.