Transseptal puncture for ablation of atrial fibrillation in a patient with an implanted atrial flow regulator: a case report

BACKGROUND: Atrial flow regulator (AFR) (Occlutech, Helsingborg, Sweden) are self-expanding, circular devices. A flexible waist in the centre connects the two discs and has a centrally located shunt. CASE SUMMARY: We report a case of an 80-year-old woman undergoing a repeat left atrial ablation for persistent atrial fibrillation with an implanted AFR. The AFR was implanted 1 year prior to the procedure for heart failure with preserved ejection fraction as part of the AFR-PRELIEVE trial. A single, fluoroscopy-guided, transseptal puncture was performed infero-posterior to the device, allowing the positioning of the mapping (LASSO(®) 20 mm, Biosense Webster, Irvine, CA, USA) and ablation (Thermocool Smarttouch SF, CARTO(®), Biosense Webster, Irvine, CA, USA) catheter in the left atrium. Three-dimensional mapping (CARTO(®), Biosense Webster, Irvine, CA, USA) and left atrial ablation were successfully performed. After the procedure, fluoroscopy and transthoracic echocardiography showed an unchanged device position. DISCUSSION: To our knowledge, this is the first case report of a transseptal puncture in a patient with an implanted AFR. Transseptal puncture in patients with an implanted AFR seems to be safe and feasible. With device diameters of 21–23 mm and based on previous studies on similar devices, transseptal puncture should be possible in most patients, as opposed to puncture through the device.