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Fix the Heart, Damage the Gut: A Case Report and Literature Review of Ablation-Induced Gastroparesis
Internal Medicine
  • Mrhaf Alsamman, HCA Healthcare
  • Bilal Ashraf, HCA Healthcare
  • Bernard Dankyi, HCA Healthcare
  • Niti Aggarwal, HCA Healthcare
Division
North Florida
Hospital
Ocala Regional Medical Center
Document Type
Case Report
Publication Date
4-8-2022
Keywords
  • cardiology,
  • vagus nerve,
  • cardiac ablation,
  • atrial fibrillation,
  • gastroparesis
Abstract

Catheter ablation is a common procedure performed in patients with atrial fibrillation. While some commonly known complications include perforation, thromboembolism, pericardial effusion, and cardiac tamponade, gastroparesis is a less reported post-procedural complication. We present a case of a 66-year-old female admitted with intractable nausea and vomiting six weeks post-ablation. After ruling out the common causes of gastroparesis, a gastric emptying study was done, which confirmed the diagnosis of gastroparesis. Physicians should have a high degree of suspicion for vagus nerve damage in post-ablation patients that presents with unexplained persistent gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms to facilitate a better outcome.

Publisher or Conference
Cureus
Citation Information
Alsamman M, Ashraf B, Dankyi B, et al. Fix the Heart, Damage the Gut: A Case Report and Literature Review of Ablation-Induced Gastroparesis. Cureus. 2022;14(4):e23946. doi:10.7759/cureus.23946