The Coronary Sinus as a Focal Source of Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation: More Evidence for the ‘Fifth Pulmonary Vein’?

• Published in: Pacing and clinical electrophysiology Vol. 30; no. 8; pp. 1027 - 1031
• Main Authors: ROSTOCK, THOMAS, LUTOMSKY, BORIS, STEVEN, DANIEL, WILLEMS, STEPHAN
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Malden, USA Blackwell Publishing Inc 01.08.2007
• Subjects: atrial fibrillation; Atrial Fibrillation - etiology; Atrial Fibrillation - physiopathology; Atrial Fibrillation - surgery; Catheter Ablation; coronary sinus; Electrocardiography; Female; Humans; Middle Aged; Pacemaker, Artificial; pulmonary vein; Pulmonary Veins - physiopathology; Pulmonary Veins - surgery; Sick Sinus Syndrome - complications; Sick Sinus Syndrome - physiopathology; Sick Sinus Syndrome - therapy; Tachycardia, Paroxysmal - etiology; Tachycardia, Paroxysmal - physiopathology; Tachycardia, Paroxysmal - surgery
• ISSN: 0147-8389; 1540-8159
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1540-8159.2007.00805.x

The coronary sinus (CS) has been described as a substrate being involved in the atrial fibrillation (AF) process. However, there are no data describing the CS as a single source of AF. We report a patient with paroxysmal AF who demonstrated an arrhythmogenic focus within the proximal CS as single source initiating and driving AF. This discrete spot was characterized by a sharp “pulmonary vein‐like” spike potential preceding every beat during AF and following the atrial potential during sinus rhythm. Radiofrequency ablation at that site led to elimination of the spike potential, disappearance and noninducibility of AF.