INTRODUCTION: Two years after orthotopic cardiac transplantation, a 60-year-old man presented with unexplained congestive heart failure and an incessant atrial tachycardia. METHODS AND RESULTS: Electrophysiologic evaluation identified the underlying arrhythmia as automatic atrial tachycardia with site of origin at the high anterior lateral right atrial wall. Radiofrequency catheter ablation successfully eliminated the tachycardia, which resulted in prompt improvement of this patient's congestive heart failure. CONCLUSION: This is the first reported case of tachycardia-induced cardiomyopathy in a cardiac transplant patient. Radiofrequency catheter ablation can be used successfully in this patient population.
INTRODUCTION: Two years after orthotopic cardiac transplantation, a 60-year-old man presented with unexplained congestive heart failure and an incessant atrial tachycardia. METHODS AND RESULTS: Electrophysiologic evaluation identified the underlying arrhythmia as automatic atrial tachycardia with site of origin at the high anterior lateral right atrial wall. Radiofrequency catheter ablation successfully eliminated the tachycardia, which resulted in prompt improvement of this patient's congestive heart failure. CONCLUSION: This is the first reported case of tachycardia-induced cardiomyopathy in a cardiac transplant patient. Radiofrequency catheter ablation can be used successfully in this patient population.