Intramural left atrial haematoma mimicking cardiac tamponade after catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation

Europace. 2009 May;11(5):667-8. doi: 10.1093/europace/eup052. Epub 2009 Mar 5.

Abstract

Catheter ablation is an established treatment modality for patients with drug refractory atrial fibrillation (AF). This procedure carries a 6% major complication rate including cardiac tamponade due to cardiac perforation. We report on a patient with clinical signs of cardiac tamponade due to a diffuse intramural left atrial haematoma obstructing left ventricular filling after catheter ablation of AF.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Atrial Fibrillation / surgery*
  • Cardiac Tamponade / diagnosis*
  • Cardiac Tamponade / etiology
  • Catheter Ablation / adverse effects*
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Echocardiography
  • Heart Atria* / diagnostic imaging
  • Heart Ventricles / diagnostic imaging
  • Hematoma / complications
  • Hematoma / diagnosis*
  • Hematoma / etiology
  • Humans