非接触心内膜激动标测系统指导消融右室流出道室性心动过速

探讨非接触心内膜激动标测系统(NMS)指导消融右室流出道室性心动过速 (RVOT VT)的临床使用价值。选择 12例RVOT VT患者在NMS EnSite 3000TM指导下进行电生理标测和消融治疗, 经股静脉将 9F64极球囊电极(Array)和普通 7F消融电极送至RVOT采集信号,计算机将采集到的 3 360个点的实时心内膜电图通过逆运算法处理后显示分析RVOT三维立体图上彩色等电势图,确定心动过速时心内膜最早激动点。在脱离X线时,由导航和定位系统实时跟踪导管位置变化,并实施靶点消融。9例能诱发出持续性或非持续性VT, 3例仅能诱发RVOT早搏。与以往传统方法消融的 19例结果相比较,心内膜最早激动时间 (EEAT)较体表心电图QRS波的起点提前(29. 4±12. 3msvs18. 7±8. 1ms,P<0. 01),放电部位减少 ( 5. 7±3. 4vs8. 2±3. 1,P<0. 05 )个,手术时间延长(246. 9±53. 0minvs190. 2±74. 6min,P<0. 05);X线曝光时间(44. 3±17. 5minvs57. 5±20. 1min)、即刻成功率(100% vs84. 2% )、6个月随访成功率(100% vs73. 7% ),没有显著性差异,P均>0. 05。结论:NMS指导消融RV OT VT安全可靠,靶点定位准确,且在提高远期成功率方面有优于传统标测方法的趋势。     

应用非接触球囊导管标测系统指导心动过速的心内膜标测与消融

目的观察非接触球囊导管标测系统指导难治性室性心动过速的标测与射频消融的有效性和优越性。方法5例患者均为男性，平均年龄33.2岁。经股静脉或股动脉置入64极球囊电极和射频消融导管至同一心室，计算机标测系统首先构建心腔的几何构型，然后建立心动过速的腔内等电势图，分析心动过速的最早起源点及折返激动的关键峡部，最终利用计算机导航系统指导消融导管至拟定靶点处进行环状或线形消融。结果5例患者共诱发出6种心动过速，心动过速平均周期为（336.6±42.7）ms。2例特发性左室室性心动过速及1例隐匿性束室纤维患者均消融成功。1例扩张型心肌病患者共有两种心动过速，一种起源于右室流出道，另一种起源于左室间隔部，前者消融成功，后者因导管操作致心动过速持续发作伴血流动力学不稳定而终止手术。1例致心律失常性右室心肌病患者于最早激动点处做环状消融，未获成功。5例患者术中和术后均无并发症发生。随访4个月，所有消融成功患者均未再有心动过速发作。结论非接触性球囊导管标测系统指导心律失常的心内膜标测与消融是安全、有效的，与常规的标测和消融方法比较，该系统有一定的优越性，尤其适用于复杂病例、血流动力学不稳定和非持续性室性心律失常的标测及指导射频消融。     

非接触球囊标测指导血流动力学不稳定性或非持续性室性心动过速的射频消融

目的探讨非接触球囊标测在指导血流动力学不稳定性或非持续性室性心动过速(室速)射频消融中的作用。方法17例室速患者,年龄50岁±9岁,经心室刺激诱发血流动力学不稳定性或非持续性室速后,使用非接触标测系统ENSITE3000标测室速的出口和(或)慢传导区,然后使用温控大头导管在室速出口作环形消融或横跨慢传导区进行线性消融。结果17例患者共诱发18次室速,周长为336MS±58MS。15例患者可确定室速的出口,为QRS波前10MS±16MS;其中5例是心肌梗死后室速,9例为右室流出道室速。5例心肌梗死后室速均可确定舒张期慢传导区,最早的心内膜舒张期电活动在QRS波前60·1MS±42·6MS。3例非持续性室速均可确定最早的心室激动点。18次室速中15次消融成功,1例没有进行消融,2例消融失败。结论非接触球囊心内膜标测能成功指导血流动力学不稳定性或非持续性室速的射频消融。     

Mapping and ablation of ventricular tachycardia guided by virtual electrograms using a noncontact, computerized mapping system

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to describe a computerized mapping system that utilizes a noncontact, 64 electrode balloon catheter to compute virtual electrograms simultaneously at 3,360 left ventricular (LV) sites and to assess the clinical utility of this system for mapping and ablating ventricular tachycardia (VT). BACKGROUND: Mapping VT in the electrophysiology laboratory conventionally is achieved by sequentially positioning an electrode catheter at multiple endocardial sites. METHODS: Fifteen patients with VT underwent 18 electrophysiology procedures using the noncontact, computerized mapping system. A 9F 64 electrode balloon catheter and a conventional 7F electrode catheter for mapping and ablation were positioned in the LV using a retrograde aortic approach. Using a boundary element inverse solution, 3,360 virtual endocardial electrograms were computed and used to derive isopotential maps. An incorporated locator system was used in conjunction with or instead of fluoroscopy to position the conventional electrode catheter. RESULTS: A total of 21 VTs, 12 of which were hemodynamically-tolerated and 9 of which were not, were mapped. Isolated diastolic potentials, presystolic areas, zones of slow conduction and exit sites during VT were identified using virtual electrograms and isopotential maps. Among 19 targeted VTs, radiofrequency ablation guided by the computerized mapping system and the locator signal was successful in 15. CONCLUSIONS: The computerized mapping system described in this study computes accurate isopotential maps that are a useful guide for ablation of hemodynamically stable or unstable VT.     

Radiofrequency Catheter Ablation of Frequent Monomorphic Ventricular Ectopic Activity

INTRODUCTION: Frequent ventricular ectopic beats can result in severe symptoms and may even be incapacitating in some patients. Although radiofrequency catheter ablation is an effective and safe therapy for drug refractory idiopathic ventricular tachycardia, it has not been widely used in ventricular ectopy. The purpose of this study was: (1) to assess the potential role of catheter ablation in eliminating monomorphic ventricular ectopy in symptomatic patients regarding feasibility and safety and (2) to determine the usefulness of various mapping strategies. METHODS AND RESULTS: Forty-one patients with symptomatic ventricular ectopic activity (right ventricular origin in 23 patients, left ventricular origin in 18 patients) were enrolled. The mean frequency of ventricular ectopic beats was 1512+/-583/hour documented by Holter ECG monitoring. These patients had previously been unable to tolerate or had been unsuccessfully treated with a mean of 3+/-1 antiarrhythmic agents. The site of origin was mapped using earliest endocardial activation times, unipolar electrograms and pace mapping. Radiofrequency ablation was successful in 34 (83 %) of 41 patients. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed pace mapping as the only independent predictor for a successful ablation site (P < 0.01). After a follow-up of 3 months, the overall success rate was 71%. The mean frequency of ventricular ectopic beats after successful ablation was 12+/-10 ventricular premature beat/hour. CONCLUSION: Radiofrequency catheter ablation is an effective and safe treatment for frequent symptomatic drug refractory monomorphic ventricular ectopic activity. Pace mapping predicts best successful ablation of ventricular ectopic beats.     

Noncontact mapping to guide ablation of right ventricular outflow tract tachycardia

OBJEWCTIVES: The aim of this study was to determine whether noncontact mapping is feasible in the right ventricle and assess its utility in guiding ablation of difficult-to-treat right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) ventricular tachycardia (VT). BACKGROUND: In patients without inducible arrhythmia, RVOT VT may be difficult to ablate. Noncontact mapping permits ablation guided by a single tachycardia complex, which may facilitate ablation of difficult cases. However, the mapping system may be geometry-dependent, and it has not been validated in the unique geometry of the RVOT. METHODS: Ten patients with left bundle inferior axis VT, no history of myocardial infarction and normal left ventricular function underwent noncontact guided ablation; seven had failed previous ablation and three had received a defibrillator. All noncontact maps were analyzed by a blinded reviewer to determine whether the arrhythmia focus was epicardial and to predict on the basis of the map whether arrhythmia would recur. RESULTS: The procedure was acutely successful in 9 of 10 patients. During a mean follow-up of 11 months, 7 of 9 patients remained arrhythmia-free. Both patients in whom the blinded reviewer predicted failure had arrhythmia recurrence: one due to epicardial origin with multiple endocardial exit sites and one due to discordance between site of lesion placement and earliest activation on noncontact map. CONCLUSIONS: Mechanisms of ablation failure in RVOT VT include absence of sustained arrhythmia, difficulty with substrate localization and epicardial origin of arrhythmia. In this study, noncontact mapping was safely and effectively used to guide ablation of patients with difficult-to-treat RVOT VT.     

Radiofrequency ablation of idiopathic left ventricular tachycardia at the site of earliest activation as determined by noncontact mapping

INTRODUCTION: The most effective method for guiding radiofrequency (RF) ablation of idiopathic left ventricular tachycardia (ILVT) has yet to be determined. We investigated the use of noncontact mapping in five patients with this condition. METHODS AND RESULTS: The multielectrode array was positioned in the left ventricular apex via the retrograde approach. Isopotential color maps of ILVT were examined to determine the site of earliest endocardial activation. The ablation catheter was steered to the target site using the locator signal. Pace mapping was performed and contact electrograms examined for diastolic potentials. RF energy was applied to the target site. Sustained ventricular tachycardia was induced in 2 patients and nonsustained ventricular tachycardia in 3. The site of earliest activation was at the apical septum in 3, the inferior apex in 1, and the base of the inferior wall in 1. Mean timing was 21 +/- 10 msec before onset of the surface QRS. Diastolic activity was visualized with noncontact mapping at the base of the septum in 1 patient. A Purkinje potential was seen at the ablation site in only 1 patient. No diastolic activity was seen in the remaining 3 patients. Tachycardia was successfully terminated in all 5 patients with a median of four RF applications. No patient suffered a recurrence after 9.6 +/- 4.7 months of follow-up. CONCLUSION: By identifying the precise site of earliest activation during ILVT, noncontact mapping has been shown to be an effective and safe method for guiding RF ablation.     

Feasibility of a noncontact catheter for endocardial mapping of human ventricular tachycardia.

BACKGROUND: Catheter ablation of ventricular tachycardia (VT) is limited by difficulty in identifying suitable sites for ablation. This study assesses use of a system capable of simultaneous endocardial mapping of the human left ventricle to map and guide radiofrequency (RF) catheter ablation of VT. METHODS AND RESULTS: A catheter-mounted noncontact multielectrode array was used to reconstruct 3360 electrograms, superimposed onto a computer-simulated endocardial model. Of 24 patients studied, 20 had ischemic heart disease. Exit sites were demonstrated by the noncontact system in 80 (99%) of 81 VTs, with complete VT circuits traced in 17 (21%). In another 37 VTs, 36+/-30% (mean+/-SD) of the diastolic interval was identified. Thirty-eight VT morphologies were ablated with 154 RF energy applications. Successful ablation was achieved by 77% of RF applications to relevant diastolic activity identified by the system and was significantly more likely (P<0.0001) than by RF at the VT exit or remote from diastolic activation. Over a mean follow-up of 1.5 years, 14 patients (64%) have had no recurrence of VT, and only 2 target VTs (5.3%) have recurred. Five patients have had recurrence of other VTs. CONCLUSIONS: This noncontact mapping system identified diastolic portions of the circuit in most VTs studied and can safely map and guide ablation of human VT.     

特发性左室室性心动过速非接触球囊导管系统的标测与消融

介绍非接触球囊导管标测系统 (EnSite 30 0 0系统 )指导难治性特发性左室室性心动过速的标测与射频消融的初步经验。 5例男性病人 ,年龄 33± 17(17～ 6 2 )岁 ,常规方法标测和导管消融失败 2 .4± 1.1(1～ 4)次。常规放置高位右房和右室电生理导管 ,运用置入左室的 6 4极球囊导管和大头电极 ,系统重建三维心内膜几何模型和等电势 ,经右室导管诱发VT ,心动过速周期为 32 3.8± 48.1ms。EnSite 30 0 0系统标测到VT的最早激动点分别位于左后间隔中下部、左侧间隔后下部左束支下方、后下间隔近心尖部、左室后壁近基底部和左后间隔中部。在最早激动点和关键峡部分别行点状、环状和线性消融。 2例患者在心动过速时放电、3例患者在窦性心律时消融 ,均获成功。成功消融靶点处的单极电图均为QS型。X线曝光时间为 2 5± 12min。随访 7.8± 4.6 (1～ 11)个月所有患者均未发作心动过速。结果表明 ,与常规方法比较 ,EnSite 30 0 0系统所建立的心腔三维模拟等电势图可直观地显示心动过速的起源点、传导途径和关键峡部 ,系统模拟的单极腔内电图的形态也有助于判断病灶起源部位及提高消融成功率 ,尤其适用于常规方法消融失败的室性心律失常的标测 ,其独特的导航系统可引导消融导管到达靶点部位指导射频消融 ,并可减少X?     

Remote magnetic navigation for mapping and ablating right ventricular outflow tract tachycardia

BACKGROUND: Navigation, mapping, and ablation in the right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) can be difficult. Catheter navigation using external magnetic fields may allow more accurate mapping and ablation. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to assess the feasibility of RVOT tachycardia ablation using remote magnetic navigation. METHODS: Mapping and ablation were performed in eight patients with outflow tract ventricular arrhythmias. Tachycardia mapping was undertaken with a 64-polar basket catheter, followed by remote activation and pace-mapping using a magnetically enabled catheter. The area of interest was localized on the basket catheter in seven patients in whom an RVOT arrhythmia was identified. Remote navigation of the magnetic catheter to this area was followed by pace-mapping. Ablation was performed at the site of perfect pace-mapping, with earliest activation if possible. RESULTS: Acute success was achieved in all patients (median four applications). Median procedural time was 144 minutes, with 13.4 minutes of patient fluoroscopy time and 3.8 minutes of physician fluoroscopy time. No complications occurred. One recurrence occurred during follow-up (mean 366 days). CONCLUSION: RVOT tachycardias can be mapped and ablated using remote magnetic navigation, initially guided by a basket catheter. Precise activation and pace-mapping are possible. Remote magnetic navigation permitted low fluoroscopy exposure for the physician. Long-term results are promising.     

Angiographic and electrophysiological substrates for ventricular tachycardia mapping through the coronary veins

Objective—To study the value of epicardial mapping through the coronary venous system in patients with sustained ventricular tachycardia.
Design—20 consecutive patients with sustained ventricular tachycardia who were candidates for radiofrequency ablation.
Setting—Electrophysiological laboratory.
Interventions—Coronary venous angiography was performed with a catheter, which provided coronary sinus occlusion during injection of contrast media. Multipolar microelectrode catheters were then manoeuvred into the tributaries of coronary sinus, using an over-wire system or an on-wire system. An endocardial ablation catheter was positioned in the left ventricle. Conventional programmed ventricular stimulation was performed for sustained ventricular tachycardia induction. Endocardial radiofrequency ablation was performed using impedance or temperature monitoring.
Results—Coronary veins were catheterised in all patients; 20 had induction of sustained ventricular tachycardia, 14 were stable. Presystolic epicardial electrograms were recorded in six patients and concealed entrainment in two, helping as a landmark for endocardial ablation. After simultaneous epicardial and endocardial mapping, successful endocardial radiofrequency ablation was achieved in nine of 14 patients with stable ventricular tachycardia (64%).
Conclusions—Epicardial mapping through the coronary veins in patients with ventricular tachycardia is feasible, safe, and can be a useful landmark for endocardial catheter mapping and ablation.

Keywords: ventricular tachycardia; coronary angiography; cardiac mapping; radiofrequency ablation     

Non-contact mapping to guide catheter ablation of untolerated ventricular tachycardia.

AIMS: The role of a novel non-contact mapping system (ESI 3000, Endocardial Solutions) to guide radiofrequency catheter ablation of untolerated ventricular tachycardia was investigated in 17 patients; 11 with prior myocardial infarction, three with arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia, and three with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy. METHODS: Twenty-seven monomorphic ventricular tachycardias were induced (mean cycle 320+/-60 ms, range 230-450 ms), mapped for 15-20 s, and terminated by overdrive pacing or DC shock. Off-line analysis of isopotential activation mapping was performed to identify the diastolic pathway and/or the exit point of the ventricular tachycardia reentry circuit. Radiofrequency current was applied to create a line of block across the diastolic pathway or around the exit point. RESULTS: All 27 ventricular tachycardias were mapped with the non-contact system. The endocardial exit point (-7+/-15 ms before QRS onset) was defined in 21/21 postinfarction ventricular tachycardias, in 3/3 arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia and in 1/3 idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy ventricular tachycardias, respectively. The diastolic pathway (earliest endocardial diastolic activity: -65+/-49 ms before QRS onset) was identified in 17/21 postinfarction ventricular tachycardias, in 1/3 arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia and in 1/3 idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy ventricular tachycardias, respectively. Catheter ablation was performed in 25/27 ventricular tachycardias (93%) in 15/17 patients (88%): 16/25 ventricular tachycardias (64%) were successfully ablated in 10/17 patients (59%). Catheter ablation was not performed in two patients or proved unsuccessful in five patients. At a follow-up of 15+/-5 months, there was no recurrence of documented ventricular tachycardia in all 10 patients with successful catheter ablation; in two of them a previously non-documented ventricular tachycardia occurred. A high recurrence of ventricular tachycardia was observed in patients with a failed procedure (5/7: 71%). No major complication or death occurred. CONCLUSIONS: Non-contact mapping can be effectively used to map and guide radiofrequency catheter ablation of untolerated ventricular tachycardias. Given the favourable acute and clinical long-term results, this approach proves to be more effective in patients with postinfarction ventricular tachycardias, in comparison to patients with arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia and idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy.     

Ensite非接触标测系统在室性心律失常患者射频消融中的应用

目的探讨Ensite系统标测室性心律失常的方法,并评价其指导射频消融的有效性和安全性。方法入选症状性室性期前收缩(室早)或室性心动过速(室速)患者98例,年龄(42±16)岁,其中男43例,女55例。经外周血管进非接触多极球囊导管至右心室或左心室三维重建心腔。心室激动时根据虚拟单极电位的等电位图,结合起搏和激动标测对起源点和突破口及优势传导通道进行消融。结果消融即时成功率95%(93/98)。起源于右心室流出道占96种,间隔部和游离壁各82、14种,起源于其他不典型部位21种,三尖瓣环8种。起源后传导突破呈快反应点爆发方式占78%(91/117),采用点消融覆盖相近的起源点和突破口;呈慢反应突破方式占22%(26/117),采用线性或片状消融策略。随访(6±3)个月,3例复发,1例经再次消融成功。结论 Ensite心内非接触式标测系统用于室性心律失常的三维标测有效安全。室速或室早自最早起源点后经优势传导通道向突破口传导有两种传导方式。     

Non-contact mapping and ablation of tachycardia originating in the right ventricular outflow tract

We performed an electrophysiological study, using non-contact mapping, in an 8-year-old girl weighing 39.9 kg who had suffered recurrent symptomatic episodes of exercise-induced non-sustained ventricular tachycardia. Color-coded isopotential maps of the ventricular tachycardia identified the area of earliest endocardial activation high and anterior in the right ventricular outflow tract. Although partial deflation of the balloon was required to position the ablation catheter at the earliest site of activation, this site was still identified accurately, as demonstrated by termination of the ventricular tachycardia and ectopy upon mechanical pressure, as well as application of radiofrequency current. In this young patient, precise mapping of the earliest endocardial activation using the non-contact mapping system was safe and effective, allowing successful radiofrequency ablation of the tachycardia.     

Cryocatheter ablation of right ventricular outflow tract tachycardia

INTRODUCTION: Cryocatheter techniques have been successfully applied to treat supraventricular tachycardia but there are no reports on their value in treating ventricular tachycardia (VT). We present our initial experience with cryocatheter ablation of right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) tachycardia. METHODS AND RESULTS: Cryocatheter ablation was attempted in 14 patients (13 females, age 45.9 +/- 12.7 years) who were highly symptomatic due to frequent monomorphic ventricular extrasystole (VES) or nonsustained VT originating within the RVOT. A 9-Fr, 8-mm-tip cryocatheter was used for both mapping and ablation. Cryoablation was started after localizing the arrhythmic focus by pace and activation mapping. Ablation success, defined by complete disappearance of target VES/VT acutely and during a follow-up of 9.3 +/- 1.4 weeks, was achieved in 13 of 14 patients. Ablation was successful with local activation times of 35 +/- 4 ms, 5.8 +/- 3.3 applications, 18.8 +/- 7.5 minutes total cryo time, 9.4 +/- 4.2 minutes fluoroscopy time, and 66.9 +/- 26.1 minutes total procedure time, the latter two measures showing a reduction with number of patients treated. Three patients reported slight pain related to local pressure of the catheter on the RVOT wall. No pain was described related to delivery of cryothermal energy. CONCLUSIONS: Initial experience shows that focal VES/VT originating in the RVOT can be successfully treated using cryocatheter ablation. Acute and short term success rates, fluoroscopy times, and duration of procedure are comparable to conventional ablation techniques. A major advantage seems to be the virtual absence of ablation related pain.     

Noncontact mapping of small pulmonary artery potentials preceding ectopy from the right ventricular outflow tract

Idiopathic right ventricular tachycardia typically originates from the right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT). However, it also may originate from above the pulmonic valve. We describe a patient with a 2-year history of symptoms of palpitations associated with premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) in whom radiofrequency catheter ablation at the PVC exit site in the lateral RVOT failed despite the presence of several favorable criteria. However, using a multiple electrode array catheter, we demonstrated above the pulmonic valve clear evidence of low-amplitude preceding electrical activity ("blue ghost") that swept 3 cm inferolaterally over 20 ms to the previously identified lateral RVOT exit. Catheter mapping even at 128x gain demonstrated only very-low-amplitude potentials at this site, and pacing was unable to capture the ventricle from this region. However, ablation at this site immediately terminated the arrhythmia, and the patient has remained PVC-free after 1 year. This case supports the existence of previously hypothesized myocardial sleeves above the pulmonary valve that may be responsible for RVOT tachycardia and shows that they can be detected using noncontact mapping.     

Endocardial mapping by simultaneous recording of endocardial electrograms during cardiac surgery for ventricular aneurysm

A technique was developed for the simultaneous recording of 30 endocardial electrograms during cardiac surgery in patients undergoing aneurysmectomy or endocardial resection, or both, for medically intractable ventricular tachycardia. An inflatable balloon covered with 30 terminals at distances of 1.5 to 2 cm was used to record from the entire endocardial surface; a smaller silicone rubber sheet with 30 terminals at distances of 0.7 cm was used to obtain a better spatial resolution. The multielectrodes were inserted into the left ventricular cavity by way of an incision in the aneurysm. A transportable minicomputer was used for the acquisition and analysis of the signals. After initiation of ventricular tachycardia by programmed stimulation, signals of a 1.5 second period were stored and analyzed. The earliest activated terminal could be determined within 2 to 5 minutes. The technique was applied in 32 patients and proved especially useful in those patients in whom sustained tachycardia could not be evoked and in whom conventional mapping with a roving electrode would have been impossible or very time consuming. In all patients, the isochronic maps showed that the ectopic impulses originated from a rather localized area and no evidence was found for large endocardial circus movements, thereby excluding these as a mechanism underlying the tachycardia. Isochronic maps, depicting activation sequences during consecutive ectopic beats with the same QRS morphologic features, showed the same site of origin in all but six patients.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Electrocardiographic and electrophysiologic characteristics of ventricular tachycardia originating within the pulmonary artery

OBJECTIVES: We investigated the electrocardiographic (ECG) and electrophysiologic characteristics of ventricular tachycardia (VT) originating within the pulmonary artery (PA). BACKGROUND: Radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) is routinely applied to the endocardial surface of the right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) in patients with idiopathic VT of left bundle branch block morphology. It was recently reported that this arrhythmia may originate within the PA. METHODS: Activation mapping and ECG analysis were performed in 24 patients whose VTs or ventricular premature contractions (VPCs) were successfully ablated within the PA (PA group) and in 48 patients whose VTs or VPCs were successfully ablated from the endocardial surface of the RVOT (RV-end-OT group). RESULTS: R-wave amplitudes on inferior ECG leads, aVL/aVR ratio of Q-wave amplitude, and R/S ratio on lead V(2) were significantly larger in the PA group than in the RV-end-OT group. On intracardiac electrograms, atrial potentials were more frequently recorded in the PA group than in the RV-end-OT group (58% vs. 12%; p < 0.01). The amplitude of local ventricular potentials recorded during sinus rhythm within the PA was significantly lower than that recorded from the RV-end-OT (0.62 +/- 0.56 mV vs. 1.55 +/- 0.88 mV; p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Ventricular tachycardia originating within the PA has different electrocardiographic and electrophysiologic characteristics from that originating from the RV-end-OT. When mapping the RVOT area, the catheter may be located within the PA if a low-voltage atrial or local ventricular potential of <1-mV amplitude is recorded. Heightened attention must be paid if RFCA is required within the PA.     

Localization of the isthmus in reentrant circuits by analysis of electrograms derived from clinical noncontact mapping during sinus rhythm and ventricular tachycardia

INTRODUCTION: New methods for electrogram analysis accurately estimated reentrant circuit isthmus location and shape in a canine model. It was hypothesized that these methods also would locate reentrant circuits causing clinical ventricular tachycardia (VT). METHODS AND RESULTS: Intracardiac electrogram recordings, obtained with a noncontact mapping system, were analyzed retrospectively from 14 patients with reentrant VT who had undergone successful radiofrequency ablation for prevention of VT initiation. Unipolar electrograms from 256 uniformly distributed endocardial sites were reconstructed by mathematical transformation. Twenty-seven tachycardias were mapped; 15 (in 11 patients) had a complete endocardial reentrant circuit with a figure-of-eight conduction pattern. During sinus rhythm, the location and axis of the slowest and most uniform conduction in the region of latest endocardial activation (the primary axis), the limits of which were defined as boundaries with >15 ms difference in electrogram duration between contiguous recordings, identified the location and shape of the reentrant circuit isthmus with a mean sensitivity compared with activation mapping of 79.3% and a mean specificity of 97.6%. The midpoint of a theoretical "estimated best ablation line" drawn perpendicular to the primary axis of activation, spanning the estimated isthmus location was within 1.3 +/- 0.2 cm (mean distance +/- SD) of the actual ablation site that terminated tachycardia. Analysis of VT electrograms, based on time shifts in the far-field component of the local electrogram when cycle length changed (piecewise linear adaptive template matching [PLATM] method) in 5 of the cases, accurately estimated the time interval between activation at the recording site and the circuit isthmus slow conduction zone where the effective ablation lesion had been placed, which is proportional to the distance between the two locations (mean difference compared with activation mapping: +/-37.3 ms). CONCLUSION: In selected patients with VT who have a complete endocardial circuit, isthmus location and shape can be discerned by analysis of sinus rhythm or tachycardia electrograms, and an effective ablation site can be predicted without the need to construct activation maps of reentrant circuits.     

Long-term results after ablation of infarct-related ventricular tachycardia.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to assess the long-term effects of ablation of infarct-related ventricular tachycardia (VT) and the subsequent requirement for implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) therapy. BACKGROUND: The long-term consequences after initially successful catheter ablation of infarct-related VT remain unclear. METHODS: Forty patients who presented with infarct-related VT were studied using noncontact mapping to guide ablation. RESULTS: One hundred forty VTs were mapped using the noncontact mapping system, including 36 (25.7%) clinical VTs. An endocardial exit site was determined in 100% of VT circuits, diastolic endocardial activity in 77 VTs (55%), and complete circuits in 24 VTs (17.1%). Eighty-one VTs (57.9%) were targeted for ablation, of which 67 (82.7% of targeted) were successfully ablated, including 27 clinical VTs (75% of clinical). Documented recurrence of an ablated VT occurred in 7.5% of patients over 36.3 +/- 21.0 months of follow-up. Episodes of new or recurrent, nontargeted VT or ventricular fibrillation (VF) occurred in 37.5% and VT recurrence without documentation of cycle length in 5%. In patients with ICDs, mean shock frequency was reduced from 6.8 +/- 7.3 per month in the year prior to ablation to 0.05 +/- 0.12 per month after ablation, over 24.7 +/- 18.9 months of follow-up (P < .0001). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with infarct-related VT, noncontact mapping-guided VT ablation is associated with a high procedural success rate, and VT recurrence necessitating ICD therapy delivery is significantly reduced. However, only 42.5% of patients remain free from VT/VF 3 years after ablation. Catheter ablation for infarct-related VT is indicated as an adjunctive therapy in patients with symptomatic VT but cannot substitute for ICDs and antiarrhythmic drugs.