Drug-eluting stents for the treatment of pulmonary vein stenosis after atrial fibrillation ablation

Aims Pulmonary vein (PV) stenosis (PVS) is a complication of radiofrequency PV isolation (PVI). Reported restenosis rates after balloon dilatation and bare-metal stent implantation are high. Drug-eluting stent implantation (DES) has not been reported in the setting of PVS. Methods and results Patients suspected of having PVS after PVI based on clinical symptoms and transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) follow-up (FU) were referred for PV DES. One or more branches of the affected PV as documented by angiography were stented (paclitaxel or zotarolimus DES). Follow-up consisted of repeat PV angiography and TEE. Over a period of 2 years, five patients were treated with a total of eight DES. A paclitaxel DES was used in seven of eight implants. Mean FU was 12 +/- 14 months during which all patients remained asymptomatic. Transesophageal echocardiography Doppler maximal flow velocity (V(max)) of the affected PVs rose from 58 +/- 6 cm/s pre-PVI to 207 +/- 20 cm/s pre-DES (+358%, P < 0.0001). After DES, V(max) decreased acutely with 86 +/- 15 cm/s (-58%, P < 0.01). During FU, V(max) remained stable in three patients and increased moderately in one. Angiography at 3 months confirmed absence of restenosis in the first three patients and moderate (40%) restenosis in one patient. In one patient, an increase of V(max) back to pre-DES values correlated with a 65% peri-stent stenosis, treated with a redo DES. In total, after seven primary DES only one (asymptomatic) proximal margin restenosis required re-stenting. Conclusion Initial experience with DES for PV stenosis suggests an excellent stent patency rate. Transesophageal echocardiography Doppler measurements provide a viable way of monitoring stent patency.