Cryo-Balloon Ablation of the Right Superior Pulmonary Vein Involving the Anterior Right Ganglionated Plexus for Speech and Breathing Induced Atrial Tachycardia

Citation : Aharon Medina, MD, Mickey Ilan, MD, Dan Tzivoni, MD

Targeting ganglionated plexi (GP) during catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation (AF) is associated with improved outcome. We present a patient with speech and breathing induced atrial tachycardia (AT) originating in the superior vena cava (SVC) and the right superior pulmonary vein (RSPV), near the anatomical location of the anterior right GP (ARGP). The trigger for the arrhythmia appeared to be vagal discharge from the GP, possibly induced by local stretch. Ablation with a 28 mm cryo-balloon advanced to the RSPV orifice through a patent foramen ovale (PFO) abolished the arrhythmia, probably involving the underlying parasympathetic influx to the SVC and RSPV myocardial sleeves.