Manifestations of coronary arterial injury during catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation and related arrhythmias

Background The prevalence and clinical consequences of coronary arterial injury in a large series of patients undergoing radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of atrial fibrillation (AF) are unknown. Objective The purpose of this study was to describe the frequency and clinical consequences of coronary arterial injury in a large series of patients undergoing catheter ablation of AF and postablation atrial tachycardia. Methods The medical records of 5,709 consecutive patients undergoing RFA of AF were reviewed. Heart specimens were also dissected to analyze the course of the coronary arteries. Results Arterial injury occurred in 8 patients (0.14%). Three patients developed ventricular fibrillation (VF) due to occlusion of the distal or proximal circumflex (Cx) artery related to RFA in the distal coronary sinus (CS) or base of the LA appendage, respectively. Two VF patients underwent stenting. Five patients developed acute sinus node (SN) dysfunction. In 4/5 patients, the culprit site was subjacent to the SN artery (per computed tomography) coursing over the anterior LA (n = 3) or the septal RA (n = 1). Two patients required a permanent pacemaker. In the heart specimens, the SN artery, after its origin from the proximal Cx artery, coursed along the anterior LA. Also, the proximal Cx artery was found in the atrioventricular groove underneath the base of the LA appendage. Conclusion Clinically apparent injury to the coronary arteries during LA ablation for AF is rare. However, it may be associated with potentially life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias and acute SN dysfunction requiring permanent pacing. The culprit sites seem to be in the distal coronary sinus and the anterior LA, and correlate well with the course of the coronary arteries in pathologic specimens. Vigilance and low-power settings are important in minimizing the risk of arterial injury.