Dyspnea Post Pulmonary Vein Isolation Ablation

Abstract

Phrenic nerve injury is considered a rare complication of pulmonary vein isolation ablation procedure that is used to treat refractory paroxysmal atrial fibrillation and has been reported in different settings in literature. In this case report, we discuss a case presented with dyspnea, cough, headaches, fatigue, and palpitation five months post pulmonary vein isolation ablation. This case has a medical history of several comorbidities that may contribute to the etiology of the above symptoms. Therefore, the prolonged presentation, late onset of symptoms, and multiple cofactors could be assumed to contribute to patient’s etiology of symptoms attributed to the challenge of the diagnosis. However, one should always keep phrenic nerve injury as a differential when dealing with post pulmonary vein isolation ablation dyspnea or exacerbation of co-existing respiratory symptoms, even when facing delayed presentations of symptoms.