Atrial tachycardia of left atrial appendage origin treated with pulsed field ablation using a linear-tip catheter: a case report

Left atrial appendage is an unusual site of origin of atrial tachycardia and ablation used to be challenging due to fear of perforation and increased risk of thromboembolism.

A 14-year-old patient presented with frequent palpitations due to atrial tachycardia. Mapping confirmed origin of the atrial tachycardia to be the tip of the left atrial appendage. It was successfully treated with catheter ablation of the source using a linear-tip pulsed field ablation catheter.

Pulsed field ablation catheters are associated with less thermal damage to adjacent tissues, and linear tip design are suited for direct ablation of the source of atrial tachycardia of left atrial appendage origin. This can avoid the thromboembolism risk of electrical isolation of left atrial appendage and is less invasive than surgical ligation.