A case of pulmonary vein stenosis requiring lobectomy after catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation
Naoko Katsuradaa,* Hisashi Ohnishia Sho Yoshimuraa Saori Kinamia Teruaki Nishiumaa,†
aDepartment of Respiratory Medicine, Akashi Medical Center
*Present address: Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Kameda Medical Center
†Present address: Department of Respiratory Medicine, Kakogawa West City Hospital
A-60-year-old man, who had undergone pulmonary vein ablation for atrial fibrillation 10 months before, presented with bloody sputum and left-chest pain. He received an administration of antimicrobial agent for pneumonia, but his symptoms persisted. The CT scan revealed severe stenosis of the ostium of the left-upper superior pulmonary vein, with patchy ground-glass opacities and interlobular septal thickening in the left-superior pulmonary lobe. We diagnosed pulmonary-vein stenosis and pulmonary hemorrhage complicating ablation for atrial fibrillation. Because of worsening of bloody sputum and pulmonary consolidations, we tried to perform the plasty of the left-upper pulmonary vein. A left-upper lobectomy was ultimately performed because the left-upper pulmonary vein was occluded by massive thrombosis and the left-upper lobe became hard, like a solid organ. His symptoms were completely improved. We should suspect pulmonary vein stenosis when a patient presents with respiratory symptoms after catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation.
Catheter ablation Pulmonary vein stenosis Hemoptysis Atrial fibrillation
Received 6 Aug 2013 / Accepted 2 Oct 2013
AJRS, 3(1): 137-141, 2014