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Vagus nerve injury symptoms after catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation
Author(s) -
Jacobs Victoria,
May Heidi T.,
Crandall Brian G.,
Ballantyne Becca,
Chisum Ben,
Johnson Dave,
Graves Kevin G.,
Cutler Michael,
Day John D.,
Mallender Charles,
Osborn Jeffrey S.,
Weiss J. Peter,
Bunch T. Jared
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
pacing and clinical electrophysiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.686
H-Index - 101
eISSN - 1540-8159
pISSN - 0147-8389
DOI - 10.1111/pace.13304
Subject(s) - medicine , bloating , swallowing , constipation , atrial fibrillation , nausea , vomiting , heartburn , population , anesthesia , surgery , reflux , disease , environmental health
Background Vagus nerve injury during catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation can significantly impact quality of life and result in lingering gastrointestinal symptoms. This study was designed to define risk factors of vagus nerve injury, symptoms, prevalence, and temporal resolution. Methods A total of 100 patients undergoing radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) were enrolled and consented to participate in the study. Patients completed a 22‐item questionnaire that included questions specific to vagus nerve injury symptomatology during their baseline visit and at 1 and 3 months post‐RFCA. Results The average age of the population was 63 ± 10.6 years and 68% were male. A total of 100 patients completed their baseline questionnaire (90 patients completed the 1‐month questionnaires and 85 patients completed the 3‐month questionnaires). Symptoms rated as moderate were prevalent at baseline (trouble swallowing 13%, bloating 26%, feeling full 20%), and increased in all categories analyzed at 1 month and with the exception of trouble swallowing returned to the preablation percentages at 3 months (heartburn 22.4%, trouble swallowing 18.8%, bloating 16.5%, nausea 8.2%, vomiting 3.5%, constipation 18.8%, diarrhea 16.4%, feeling full 15.3%). Severe rated symptoms of trouble swallowing (2–5.5%), bloating (5–7.6%), and early satiety (5–9.8%) increased at 1 month and bloating and early satiety percentages remained approximately two times higher at 3 months (trouble swallowing 2.4%, bloating 8.2%, early satiety 7.1%). Conclusion The majority of symptoms were resolved by 3 months, although those patients who rate bloating and early satiety at a severe rating may have persistent symptoms.