Management of patients with interrupted inferior vena cava requiring electrophysiology procedures

J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol. 2020 May;31(5):1083-1090. doi: 10.1111/jce.14421. Epub 2020 Mar 13.

Abstract

Background: Interrupted inferior vena cava (IVC) is a rare venous anomaly that complicates the treatment of patients who require electrophysiology (EP) procedures.

Methods: We describe five consecutive cases of patients with interrupted IVC who presented to the EP laboratory requiring interventional procedures including catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation and supraventricular tachycardia and left atrial appendage closure. All cases were successfully completed utilizing a variety of approaches to vascular access including transseptal puncture via transhepatic and internal jugular approaches.

Conclusion: Procedures in the EP lab can be performed successfully in patients with interrupted IVC.

Keywords: WATCHMAN; ablation; arrhythmia; atrial fibrillation; interrupted IVC.

MeSH terms

  • Action Potentials
  • Adult
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Arrhythmias, Cardiac / diagnostic imaging
  • Arrhythmias, Cardiac / physiopathology
  • Arrhythmias, Cardiac / therapy*
  • Atrial Appendage* / diagnostic imaging
  • Atrial Appendage* / physiopathology
  • Cardiac Catheterization* / adverse effects
  • Cardiac Catheterization* / instrumentation
  • Catheter Ablation* / adverse effects
  • Female
  • Heart Conduction System / physiopathology
  • Heart Conduction System / surgery*
  • Heart Rate
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Pulmonary Veins / physiopathology
  • Pulmonary Veins / surgery*
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Vena Cava, Inferior / abnormalities*
  • Vena Cava, Inferior / diagnostic imaging