Recurrent Atrial Fibrillation with Isolated Pulmonary Veins: What to Do

Abstract

When patients have symptomatic recurrent atrial tachyarrhythmias after 2 months following pulmonary vein antral isolation, a repeat ablation should be considered. Patients might present with isolated pulmonary veins posterior wall. In these patients, posterior wall isolation is extended, and non-pulmonary vein triggers are actively sought and ablated. Moreover, in those with non-paroxysmal atrial fibrillation or a known higher prevalence of non-pulmonary vein triggers, empirical isolation of the superior vena cava, coronary sinus, and/or left atrial appendage might be performed. In this review, we will focus on ablation of non-pulmonary vein triggers, summarizing our current approach for their mapping and ablation.

Keywords: Atrial fibrillation ablation; Coronary sinus; Left atrial appendage; Left atrial posterior wall; Nonpulmonary vein triggers; Superior vena cava.