Pulmonary vein stenosis after RF ablation diagnosed on a V/Q lung scan - a case study

Full text: A 26-year-old female presented to the emergency department with pleuritic chest pain, acute SOB and raised D-dimer. A PE was suspected and a V/Q lung scan was performed. The initial V/Q lung scan displayed normal ventilation images but reduced perfusion throughout the left lung. Further evaluation was required and a CTPA and repeat perfusion scan were performed. After review of these imaging procedures it was discovered the patient had poor opacification of her left upper pulmonary vein compared to the left lower and right pulmonary veins. Further investigation into the patient's medical history revealed she had undergone radiofrequency ablation for atrial fibrillation 12 months prior. This was significant as it is well documented that a delayed complication of radiofrequency ablation is pulmonary vein stenosis. Although it is rare for the stenosis to be severe enough to cause symptomatic complications from this treatment for atrial fibrillation, it is becoming more widely used and therefore cases are becoming more prevalent. The patient subsequently had a stent inserted into her stenosed pulmonary vein with symptomatic relief.