Recovery of cardiac function after ablation of atrial tachycardia arising from the tricuspid annulus.

Abstract

Tachycardia-induced cardiomyopathy is a reversible form of heart failure. An early diagnosis and an effective cure of the underlying tachycardia are crucial for a favorable outcome. Different kinds of atrial and ventricular arrhythmias may induce tachycardiomyopathy. Focal atrial tachycardia may be easily suppressed by means of transcatheter ablation. Relationships between focal atrial tachycardia and tachycardiomyopathy have not been deeply analyzed. In the present paper we report a case of a 76-year-old man with tachycardia-induced cardiomyopathy caused by recurrences of focal atrial tachycardia arising from the tricuspid annulus. The arrhythmia was successfully treated with transcatheter ablation. In the follow-up no recurrences of the arrhythmia occurred and a significant improvement in myocardial function was observed.