Ablation of Atrial Fibrillation in a Patient with a Mechanical Mitral Valve

Clinicians must be mindful of the left ventricular lead when cannulating the coronary sinus with a decapolar catheter or an ablation catheter. Left atrial catheter ablation for the treatment of atrial fibrillation in patients with a mechanical mitral valve, when approached carefully, can be performed safely and effectively. Block across linear lines should be confirmed using differential activation and/or differential pacing to decrease risks of proarrhythmias.