PMC9620720_01
The dramatic transition of a thoracic CT scan (soft-tissue window) and pulmonary computed tomography angiography. (A) Preoperative tests: CT revealed clear lung fields bilaterally. (B) Three days after operation: CT scan showing large bilateral pleural effusions without pericardial effusion. (C) Nine days after the operation: there is a resolution of the left pleural effusion and a marked decrease in the right pleural effusion. (D) Nineteen days after operation: there is no pleural effusion on CT images. (E,F) Pulmonary computed tomography angiography ruled out pulmonary embolism.
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F1
A chest computed tomography demonstrated no significant abnormalities, as shown in Figure 1A. As shown in Figure 1B, massive bilateral pleural effusion alone was observed in a chest computed tomography. Pulmonary computed tomography angiography ruled out pulmonary embolism (Figure 1). The pathological changes were resolved and the chest CT reverted to normal after 3 days of treatment, and the patient was able to be discharged out of the hospital; the chest CT is shown in Figure 1C.
Three-dimensional reconstruction of pulmonary vein and ablation circle (red-colored) using the CARTO3  system. (A) Three-dimensional reconstruction of the pulmonary vein in left lateral view. (B) Three-dimensional reconstruction of the pulmonary vein in posteroanterior view. (C) Three-dimensional reconstruction of the pulmonary vein in right lateral view. (D) Ablation circle in left lateral view. (E) Ablation circle in posteroanterior view. (F) Ablation circle in right lateral view.
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F2
To avoid excessive drops in impedance, we adjusted the contact force by 5-10 g for each application (Figure 2).
Patient's electrocardiogram (ECG). (A) The preprocedure ECG reveals atrial fibrillation. (B) The postoperative ECG of the patient when she felt palpitations and chest discomfort.
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F3
She had a history of hypertension, and chronic AF and had symptomatic AF confirmed by the 12-lead ECG for 1 year (Figure 3A). On the following day, there was a progressive worsening of symptoms associated with chest distress and dyspnea (Figure 3B).