Block of the mitral-pulmonary isthmus during ablation of a single left-sided accessory pathway causing different patterns of retrograde atrial activation

Arq Bras Cardiol. 2002 May;78(5):497-509.
[Article in English, Portuguese]

Abstract

The case of a 16-year-old patient with atrioventricular tachycardia caused by a single left anterolateral accessory pathway is reported. When the patient underwent radiofrequency ablation, a lesion on the mitral annulus lateral wall produced changes in the retrograde atrial activation pattern determined by that pathway; changes ranged from a delay in depolarization of the annulus posterior portions to full left atrium counterclockwise activation. Such phenomena were probably caused by a block in the isthmus between the annulus and the lower left pulmonary vein ostium. This case illustrates the importance of the mitral-pulmonary isthmus in the process of left atrium activation, an alert to changes induced by its unintentional block during accessory pathway ablation.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Atrial Function, Left / physiology*
  • Catheter Ablation / adverse effects*
  • Electrocardiography
  • Female
  • Heart Block / etiology*
  • Heart Conduction System / abnormalities
  • Humans
  • Mitral Valve / physiopathology*
  • Tachycardia, Atrioventricular Nodal Reentry / surgery*