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Updated: Aug 11, 2025

Robotic Ablation of Atrial Fibrillation
Published on: May 29, 2015
Case report: Thoracoscopic ablation for a patient with atrial fibrillation and persistent left superior vena cava
Haozhong Liu1,2,3, Tong Tan1,2,3, Hailong Qiu2,3
1Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, China.
Abstract:
Persistent left superior vena cava (PLSVC) is a relatively rare congenital anomaly in the general population. It plays an important role in initiating and maintaining atrial fibrillation (AF) in some patients. Radiofrequency catheter ablation is the major treatment for patients with AF and PLSVC in most publications. Here, we reported a case of thoracoscopic ablation for a patient with atrial fibrillation and persistent left superior vena cava. After preprocedural simulation using virtual reality, we successfully completed box-lesion, ablation line from superior vena cava to inferior vena cava, left atrial appendage (LAA) excision, and PLSVC ablation. It provides a new perspective on surgical treatment for patients with AF and PLSVC.
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