Retrograde access of the left atrium for pulmonary vein isolation using magnetic navigation after closure of an atrial septum defect

Neth Heart J. 2015 Jul;23(7-8):368-9. doi: 10.1007/s12471-015-0701-x.

Abstract

Transseptal puncture is the most commonly used technique to perform electrophysiological procedures in the left atrium. This case report describes a pulmonary vein isolation in a patient with a paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, complicated by the presence of an oversized Amplatzer device (AGA Medical Corp., Golden Valley, MN). A retrograde approach using the magnetic navigation system (Niobe, Stereotaxis Inc., St Louis, USA) was performed, and showed to provide a feasible, safe and successful alternative for catheter ablation of cardiac arrhythmias in patients in whom the classic transseptal approach is impossible.