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Different mechanisms underlying consecutive, postoperative atrial tachyarrhythmias in a Fontan patient
Natasja M S De Groot1, Nico Blom, Ernst E Vd Wall
1Department of Cardiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands.
Introduction:
Atrial tachyarrhythmias (AT) frequently develop later after a Fontan operation and can be successfully treated by ablative therapy. However, new arrhythmias often develop.
Methods And Results:
Consecutive AT emerging in a Fontan patient were ablated using three-dimensional electro-anatomical mapping. During a 6-year period, nine different AT were ablated, including intraatrial reentrant AT (N=5), focal AT (N=3), and focal atrial fibrillation (N=1) originating from distinct right atrial sites.
Conclusion:
In a Fontan patient, successive AT can be caused by different mechanisms. These AT are most likely the result of progressive atrial cardiomyopathy and can be treated by catheter ablation.
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