Acute coronary occlusion during radiofrequency catheter ablation of typical atrial flutter

J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol. 2002 Oct;13(10):1047-9. doi: 10.1046/j.1540-8167.2002.01047.x.

Abstract

We report the first case of acute right coronary artery occlusion in an adult patient during radiofrequency catheter ablation of typical atrial flutter. ST segment elevation rapidly resolved with antithrombotic therapy. This complication was thought to be due to the short distance between the endocardium and the right coronary artery at the ablation site, the high-wattage output from the radiofrequency generator, and the lack of sufficient cooling effect related to a severe upstream coronary stenosis. In patients with known right coronary artery stenosis who are suffering from typical atrial flutter, evaluation of the significance of the stenosis would be reasonable.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Acute Disease
  • Aged
  • Aspirin / therapeutic use
  • Atrial Flutter / complications*
  • Atrial Flutter / surgery*
  • Catheter Ablation* / adverse effects
  • Coronary Disease / drug therapy
  • Coronary Disease / etiology*
  • Electrocardiography
  • Fibrinolytic Agents / therapeutic use
  • Heparin / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Intraoperative Complications / drug therapy
  • Intraoperative Complications / etiology
  • Male

Substances

  • Fibrinolytic Agents
  • Heparin
  • Aspirin