Resolution of anosmia and urinary incontinence after ablation of supra-ventricular tachycardia
- Journal of Cardiology & Current Research
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Ella Yahud, Michael Rahkovich, Avishag Laish-Farkash
Abstract
Rationale
Supraventricular tachyarrhythmias (SVT) may cause a significant impairment of quality of life. The smell alterations may appear in association with SVT due to side effects of antiarrhythmic drugs1 but may as well be a manifestation of another underlying disease.2–4
Patient concerns
In this case report, we describe a case of a 51-year-old female which developed loss of the sense of smell (anosmia) and urine incontinence around the time when she was diagnosed with supraventricular tachycardia. After radiofrequency ablation of atrioventricular nodal re-entry tachycardia (AVNRT) and atrial tachycardia, her ability to smell had recovered and urinary incontinence had improved dramatically. During 18-month follow-up, she reported no complaints of smell anymore. Possible underlying mechanisms are discussed.
Lessons
Our case report describes a patient with a supraventricular tachyarrhythmia who suffered reversible anosmia and urine incontinence which resolved after radiofrequency ablation. Anosmia in our case report had led to a large spectrum of underlying pathologies to consider. The most likely causes of smell disorder in this case were typical aura without headache –a rare type of migraine or somatization disorder. Catheter ablation may have resulted in the reversal of autonomic imbalance causing improvement and later elimination of anosmia.
Rationale
Supraventricular tachyarrhythmias (SVT) may cause a significant impairment of quality of life. The smell alterations may appear in association with SVT due to side effects of antiarrhythmic drugs1 but may as well be a manifestation of another underlying disease.2–4
Patient concerns
In this case report, we describe a case of a 51-year-old female which developed loss of the sense of smell (anosmia) and urine incontinence around the time when she was diagnosed with supraventricular tachycardia. After radiofrequency ablation of atrioventricular nodal re-entry tachycardia (AVNRT) and atrial tachycardia, her ability to smell had recovered and urinary incontinence had improved dramatically. During 18-month follow-up, she reported no complaints of smell anymore. Possible underlying mechanisms are discussed.
Lessons
Our case report describes a patient with a supraventricular tachyarrhythmia who suffered reversible anosmia and urine incontinence which resolved after radiofrequency ablation. Anosmia in our case report had led to a large spectrum of underlying pathologies to consider. The most likely causes of smell disorder in this case were typical aura without headache –a rare type of migraine or somatization disorder. Catheter ablation may have resulted in the reversal of autonomic imbalance causing improvement and later elimination of anosmia.
Keywords
SVT, supra-ventricular tachycardia, AV, atrio-ventricular, AT, atrial tachycardia, CL, cycle length, PD, parkinson's disease, AF, atrial fibrillation, supraventricular arrhythmia, smell, radiofrequency ablation, migraine, Parkinson’s disease, anosmia, atenolol, urine incontinence
