Late onset cardiac cirrhosis and portal hypertensive ascites after atrial fibrillation ablation. (November 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Fong, Tse-Ling; Fong, Michael; Shinbane, Jerold; Starnes, Vaughn; Van Herle, Helga
• Is Part Of: Pulmonary circulation. Volume 9:Number 1(2019)
• Publication Date: 2018-11
• Subjects: ablation -- atrial fibrillation -- cardiomyopathy -- complications -- pulmonary hypertension; Pulmonary circulation -- Periodicals; Pulmonary circulation; Electronic journals -- Sciences; Periodicals; 616.24005
• DOI: 10.1177/2045894018813559
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2045-8932

Abstract

Pulmonary vein stenosis is a potential complication following catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation (AF). We report the case of a patient with refractory ascites late after multiple catheter ablation procedures for AF. This is the first case report of portal hypertensive ascites due to acquired multiple pulmonary vein stenoses resulting in pulmonary hypertension (PH) and cardiac cirrhosis late after AF ablation. Despite extensive surgical reconstruction of the affected pulmonary veins, the patient has PH and right heart failure with persistent ascites and lower extremity edema.