Introduction: Catheter ablation is a routine treatment of arrhytmias. The presence of an inferior vena cava (IVC) filter may complicate the procedure. We have no data on ablation of complex atrial arrhythmias with transseptal puncture in presence of an IVC filter.
Methods Results: A 70-year-old man with history of thromboembolic disease with an IVC filter implantated in 2000 (Vena Tech TM LP Cava Filter, Braun). Patient suffered from left atrial focal tachycardia and postincisional atypical flutter (aortic valve replacement and double CABG in March 2011). Complex ablation was performed in a standard manner with two transseptal sheaths inserted through femoral vein. Angiography confirmed patency of the filter and absence of thrombus. Filter was crossed with straight tip guidewires and subsequently with transseptal sheaths without complications. Atypical flutter was succesfully ablated in the lower interatrial septum, subsequent typical flutter in the cavotricuspid isthmus and focal atrial tachycardia in the left lateral atrium.
Conclusions: Case report represents the first case of a successful complex electrophysiology intervention in the left and right atrium with femoral venous access in patient with IVC filter.