14
Treatment
Neurologic
symptoms
Cerebral embolic event , atrial
esophageal fistula
Physical exam, brain
imaging, chest CT or
MRI
Shortness of breath Volume overload, pneumonia,
pulmonary vein stenosis, phrenic
nerve injury
Physical exam, chest
X-ray, CT scan, blood
chemistry
Signs and symptoms of complications more than a month postablation
Fever, dysphagia,
neurologic
symptoms
Atrial esophageal fistula Physical exam, laboratory
blood work, chest CT or
MRI; avoid endoscopy
with air insufflation
Persistent cough,
atypical chest pain
Infectious process, pulmonary vein
stenosis
Physical exam, laboratory
blood work, CXR, chest
CT or MRI
Neurologic
symptoms
Cerebral embolic event , atrial
esophageal fistula
Physical exam, brain
imaging, chest CT or
MRI
Hemoptysis PV stenosis or occlusion,
pneumonia
CT scan, VQ scan
Table 6. Types of Ambulatory Cardiac Monitoring Devices
Type of
recorder
Typical
monitoring
duration
Continuous
recording
Event
recording
Auto
trigger Unique features
Holter
monitor
24–48
hours,
some 7–30
Yes Yes N/A Short term, provides
quantitative data on
arrhythmia burden
Patch
monitor
1–3 weeks Yes Yes N/A Intermediate term, can
provide continuous data
for up to several weeks;
improved patient
compliance without
lead wires
External
loop
recorder
1 month Yes Yes Variable Good correlation
between symptoms and
even brief arrhythmias
Table 5. Signs and Symptoms Following AF Ablation (cont'd)
Differential Suggested evaluation
