BACKGROUND: Following catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation, increased incidence of ventricular arrhythmia has been observed. We report a case of sustained ventricular arrhythmia in a patient who underwent cryoballoon-based pulmonary vein isolation for symptomatic persistent atrial fibrillation.

CASE REPORT: A 57-year-old patient with dilated cardiomyopathy underwent CB-based pulmonary vein isolation for symptomatic persistent AF. On the day following an uneventful procedure, the patient for the first time experienced a sustained ventricular tachycardia that exacerbated into VT storm. Each arrhythmia was terminated by the ICD that had been implanted for primary prevention. Antiarrhythmic treatment with amiodarone was initiated immediately. The patient remained free from sustained ventricular arrhythmia during follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS: After pulmonary vein isolation, physicians should be vigilant for ventricular arrhythmia. The influence of atrial autonomic innervation on ventricular electrophysiology is largely unknown.

Keywords: Atrial Fibrillation, Catheter Ablation, Tachycardia, Ventricular