A new study claims to shed light on the Vein of Marshall (VOM)’s role in AF recurrences after the patients have had an ablation procedure.

For this study, which is currently published on Medscape.com, the researchers analyzed data from 61 AF patients with recurrent AF (30) or atypical flutter (31). This was after they underwent a pulmonary vein antrum isolation (PVAI). They found that “the initial arrhythmia (prior to the index PVAI) had been paroxysmal AF in 28 patients and persistent in 33. VOM cannulation was successful in 54 of 61 patients.”

For the study, the researchers waited at least 3 months after the PVAI before performing the procedures. The PVAIs were performed with doctors isolating the PVs in all of the patients. They then added more ablation lesions as a means of expanding the lesion set so that it would include the “LA posterior wall, roof, mitral isthmus and areas of complex and fractionated potentials,” the Medscape article reads. Next the doctors positioned a quadripolar catheter and a decapolar or duodecapolar catheter in the coronary sinus via a femoral vein.

The doctors used these procedural methods for the study because it is a commonly accepted fact that catheter ablations like these are an excellent treatment for patients with AF, and the best strategy in those ablations is a PVAI as used in this study. The reason for this is because the PVs and neighboring tissues are believed to cause ectopic beats that cause AF.

What the researchers already knew is that the VOM is the beginning of AF through multiple mechanisms. The VOM is considered the source of the ectopic beats that begin AF. The VOM is a pathway that connects with the neighboring myocardium and left PVs. It is also a source of arrhythmogenic autonomic innervation. Because the VOM is found on the epicardial surface of the left atrial ridge, no one knows if the general PVAI can get to the VOM well enough to ablate it. This new study found that any mechanism that was dependent on the VOM might play an important role in AF recurrences after PVAI. This could prove significant in treating AF recurrences in the future with ablations. More studies will likely have to be done before anything concrete comes of it.

Another treatment for AF is the prescription drug Multaq. But Multaq has been proven to cause serious and potentially deadly side effects, including liver failure and a worsening of the heart condition. A PALLAS study even had to be halted because the drug was killing patients who were taking it as a treatment for permanent AF.

If you or a loved one have developed liver failure or a worsening of your heart condition after taking Multaq, contact attorney Greg Jones today for a free consultation. I am experienced at fighting Multaq lawsuits and may be able to help you recover money for your injuries.