Gastric hypomotility following epicardial vagal denervation ablation to treat atrial fibrillation

J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol. 2008 Feb;19(2):211-3. doi: 10.1111/j.1540-8167.2007.00937.x. Epub 2007 Aug 16.

Abstract

We report a case of a 55-year-old man with vagal paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF) who was submitted to selective epicardial and endocardial atrial vagal denervation with the objective of treating AF. Radiofrequency pulses were applied on epicardial and endocardial surface of the left atrium close to right pulmonary veins (PVs) and also on epicardial surface close to left inferior PV. Following the procedure, patient presented with symptoms of gastroparesis, which was documented on CT scan and gastric emptying scintigraphy. Symptoms were transient and the patient recovered completely.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Atrial Fibrillation / physiopathology
  • Atrial Fibrillation / therapy*
  • Catheter Ablation / adverse effects*
  • Catheter Ablation / methods
  • Denervation / adverse effects
  • Denervation / methods
  • Gastrointestinal Motility
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Pericardium / innervation*
  • Pericardium / physiology
  • Stomach Diseases / diagnosis
  • Stomach Diseases / etiology
  • Stomach Diseases / physiopathology*
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Vagotomy / adverse effects
  • Vagotomy / methods
  • Vagus Nerve / physiology*
  • Vagus Nerve / surgery