Ablation has emerged as the most effective therapy for atrial fibrillation (AF), with the primary goal to improve symptoms. However, there is a subset of patients who develop limiting symptoms after successful ablation despite reestablishment of sinus rhythm. There is now recognition of “stiff left atrial (LA) syndrome” related to adverse consequences of ablation itself on LA hemodynamics, as described by Gibson and others.1,2 Although relatively uncommon (1.4% incidence in the Gibson series), this syndrome is important to diagnose, as it can cause severe unexplained dyspnea.
Ablation has emerged as the most effective therapy for atrial fibrillation (AF), with the primary goal to improve symptoms. However, there is a subset of patients who develop limiting symptoms after successful ablation despite reestablishment of sinus rhythm. There is now recognition of “stiff left atrial (LA) syndrome” related to adverse consequences of ablation itself on LA hemodynamics, as described by Gibson and others.1,2 Although relatively uncommon (1.4% incidence in the Gibson series), this syndrome is important to diagnose, as it can cause severe unexplained dyspnea.