Demonstration of diastolic and presystolic Purkinje potentials as critical potentials in a macroreentry circuit of verapamil-sensitive idiopathic left ventricular tachycardia

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to determine the relation of diastolic and presystolic potentials recorded during verapamil-sensitive idiopathic left ventricular tachycardia (ILVT) to reentry circuit. BACKGROUND: Successful ablation of verapamil-sensitive ILVT at the zone of slow conduction from which the diastolic potential is recorded has been reported. However, the relationship between the diastolic potential and the reentrant circuit remains a matter of debate. METHODS: Radiofrequency (RF) ablation was performed in 20 patients with verapamil-sensitive ILVT. After identifying the ventricular tachycardia (VT) exit site, we searched for the mid-diastolic potential (P1) during VT. Entrainment followed by RF current application was performed. If the mid-diastolic potential could not be detected, RF current was applied at the VT exit site showing the earliest ventricular activation with a single fused presystolic Purkinje potential (P2). RESULTS: In 15 of 20 patients, both P1 and P2 were recorded during VT from midseptal region. Entrainment pacing captured P1 orthodromically and reset the VT. The interval from stimulus to P1 was prolonged as the pacing rate was increased. Radiofrequency ablation was successfully performed at this site in all 15 patients. After successful ablation, P1 appeared after the QRS complex during sinus rhythm with the identical sequence to that during VT. In the remaining five patients, the diastolic potential could not be detected, and a single fused P2 was recorded only at the VT exit site. Successful ablation was performed at this site in all five patients. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that P1 and P2 are critical potentials in a circuit of verapamil-sensitive ILVT and suggests the presence of a macroreentry circuit involving the normal Purkinje system and the abnormal Purkinje tissue with decremental property and verapamil-sensitivity.     

Radiofrequency catheter ablation of left ventricular tachycardia in the normal heart

Background: Radiofrequency (RF) catheter ablation is a safe and effective cure for many forms of supraventricular tachycardia. Its efficacy in the cure of right ventricular outflow tract tachycardia, and some forms of left ventricular tachycardia in patients with left ventricular dysfunction, has also been shown. In contrast limited data are available to assess the role of RF catheter ablation in treating idiopathic left ventricular tachycardia (ILVT), an unusual form of tachycardia occurring in patients without demonstrable heart disease.
Aim: To examine the efficacy and safety of RF catheter ablation in patients with ILVT.
Methods: Three patients without structural heart disease and with recurrent drug-refractory ILVT (right bundle branch block and left axis morphology) underwent electrophysiologic study (EPS) to initiate and localise the site of origin of their VT. RF catheter ablation of the VT focus was performed, with success being defined as failure to reinduce VT during incremental infusion of isoprenaline.
Results: In all three patients VT was inducible by rapid right atrial pacing and/or programmed ventricular stimulation, and could be terminated by intravenous verapamil. RF catheter ablation was successful in all patients. The site of successful ablation was common to each patient and was localised to the infero-apical aspect of the left ventricular septum. It was characterised by the recording of the earliest presystolic 'P' potential during both sinus rhythm and induced ILVT. No complications occurred during the procedure. During follow-up periods ranging from six to 12 months there were no symptomatic or documented episodes of recurrent ILVT.
Conclusions: We conclude that ILVT can be safely and effectively cured by RF catheter ablation.     

Retrograde Purkinje Potential Activation During Sinus Rhythm Following Catheter Ablation of Idiopathic Left Ventricular Tachycardia

Idiopathic Left VT and Purkinje Potentials . We describe two patients with idiopathic left ventricular tachycardia that were cured by radiofrequency catheter ablation. Tachycardia was inducible by ventricular stimulation and was verapamil sensitive. Two distinct presystolic potentials (PI and P2) were recorded during tachycardia in the mid-septal or inferoapical area, but only one potential (P2) was recorded during sinus rhythm. After catheter ablation at this site, the PI potential was noted after the QRS complex during sinus rhythm, while the P2 was still observed before the QRS complex. The P1 potential showed a decremental property during atrial or ventricular pacing. These data suggest that Purkinje tissue with decremental properties was responsible for the tachycardia mechanism, and that the reentry circuit involving this tissue is likely to be of considerable size.     

左室特发性室性心动过速折返路径标测和消融点的选择

报道 1 0例 (男 8、女 2 )左室特发性室性心动过速 (简称室速 )折返路径标测结果和选择折返路径的不同部位为消融点的消融效果。电生理检查常规插入右室心尖与冠状静脉窦电极 ,并经左、右股动脉分别插入大头电极和2 8 2mm间距冠状静脉窦 1 0极标测电极至左室 ,后者贴靠在室间隔表面。窦性心律时各电极对可依次记录到His束电位 (HP)、左束支电位 (LBP)和左后分支的蒲氏纤维电位 (PP) ,室速时仍可同时记录到上述各电位 ,但顺序相反 ,PP领先 ,HP最后 ;而各部位的V波激动顺序在窦性心律和室速时是相同的 ,都是远端电极 (PP以远 )的V波最早 ,近端电极 (HP)的V波最晚。大头电极置于PP电极对附近。结果 :1 0例中 9例能记录到折返路径各电位心内电图 ,折返路径记录成功率为 90 % ( 9/1 0 )。第 1例大头电极位于PP电极对略上方处放电 ,消融成功 ,但导致完全性左束支阻滞。第 2 ,3例开始在PP电极对略下方处放电 ,但凡未记录到PP的点 ,虽然V波最早 ,都是放电无效点。最后消融成功的点 ,都记录到最领先的PP。第 4例以后 ,都必须记录到最领先的PP后才放电 ,除 1例 2次放电成功外 ,都是 1次放电成功。 1 0例随访至今 3～ 1 8个月 ,未服任何抗心律失常药均无室速发作。结论 :左室标测法不仅对研究左室特发性室速的折返     

Structure of the reentrant circuit of idiopathic left ventricular tachycardia: new insights into the role of the Purkinje network

In idiopathic left ventricular tachycardia (ILVT), the reentrant circuit is considered to involve the Purkinje system, and the Purkinje potential (P-potential) appears to be a marker for successful ablation. However, the characteristics of the reentrant circuit in ILVT have not yet been defined. In 2 cases of ILVT, we performed detailed mapping along the left ventricular septum during VT and sinus rhythm. ILVTs were successfully ablated at the posteroapical area of the left ventricular septum where the high frequency P-potential was recorded and this portion was considered to be the exit site of the reentrant circuit. A small P-potential was also recorded at the portion proximal to the exit site, and it preceded the P-potential at the exit site. However, the local ventricular electrogram at the exit site preceded that at the proximal site during VT. Moreover, the small P-potential was orthodromically entrained by ventricular pacing from the proximal site. These findings suggest that the reentry circuit of ILVT appeared to have considerable size.     

电解剖标测消融左室特发性室性心动过速

目的报道三维电解剖标测指导下左室特发性室性心动过速(ILVT)的射频消融方法。方法4例经常规电生理标测消融失败的ILVT患者,应用三维电解剖(CARTO)标测指导确定消融部位。结果4例患者室性心动过速时CARTO标测的V波最早激动点在前中间隔,在此部位消融无效。以左后分支电位标测的最早激动点在左后间隔区域,在此部位消融终止所有ILVT,此成功部位距V波最早记录点1.0~2.0cm。随访1~7个月无复发。结论左后分支及其浦氏纤维是构成折返环的关键部位,也是射频消融的关键部位,并与折返的出口有一定距离。     

Ventricular tachycardia with participation of the left bundle-Purkinje system in patients with structural heart disease: identification of slow conduction during sinus rhythm

Introduction: Idiopathic left ventricular tachycardia (VT) originating from the left posterior fascicle can be eliminated by ablation at sites with abnormal diastolic potentials (DPs) during sinus rhythm. We investigated whether such DPs can also be recorded in patients with structural heart disease and VT involving the left bundle-Purkinje system.
Methods and Results: Eight patients (mean age 67 ± 11 years) with nonischemic cardiomyopathy (n = 5) or prior myocardial infarction (n = 3) presented with VT involving the left bundle-Purkinje system (cycle length 376 ± 45 ms). Three types of VT were observed: macroreentrant VT with participation of both left bundle fascicles in three patients, fascicular VT involving the left posterior fascicle in two patients, and scar-related VT with Purkinje fibers as part of the reentrant circuit in three patients. In all patients, abnormal isolated DPs of low amplitude with a QRS—earliest DP interval of 374 ± 86 ms were found during sinus rhythm in the mid- or inferior left ventricular septum in areas with Purkinje potentials. The abnormal DPs during sinus rhythm coincided or were in proximity to DPs during the VT in six patients. VT ablation targeting the sites with the earliest abnormal DPs during sinus eliminated the VT in 7 of 8 patients with freedom from VT recurrence in six patients during the follow-up of 11 ± 5 months.
Conclusions: Isolated DPs during sinus rhythm were found in proximity to the posterior Purkinje network in patients with VT involving the left bundle-Purkinje system associated with heart disease and can be used to guide successful catheter ablation.     

Identification of an epicardial slow conduction channel using ripple mapping in ablation of postinfarct ventricular tachycardia

An 82‐year‐old man underwent redo catheter ablation of ventricular tachycardia (VT) after anterior infarction. A ripple mapping conducting channel (RMCC) was identified within the anterior scar in the left ventricular epicardium during sinus rhythm. Along the RMCC, delayed potentials during sinus rhythm, a good pace map with a long stimulus to the QRS interval, and mid‐diastolic potentials during VT were recorded, and epicardial ablation at this site eliminated the VT. These findings suggested that the RMCC in the epicardial scar served as a critical isthmus of the postinfarct VT, and ablation targeting the RMCC was effective.     

Verapamil-sensitive left anterior fascicular ventricular tachycardia associated with a healed myocardial infarction: changes in the delayed Purkinje potential during sinus rhythm

Uncommon association of left anterior fascicular ventricular tachycardia (VT) with a healed myocardial infarction (MI) is described. A 55-year-old man with a history of anteroseptal MI had verapamil-sensitive VT. The VT exhibited a right bundle branch block configuration and right-axis deviation. The VT exit was located at the left ventricular anterolateral wall. At the mid-anterior left ventricular septum, delayed Purkinje potentials were seen during sinus rhythm, and the optimal pace map was obtained with pace delay. During the VT, diastolic and systolic Purkinje potentials were simultaneously recorded at the same site. Ablation targeting the delayed potentials during sinus rhythm prolonged the time between QRS onset and the delayed potentials, and the VT no longer became inducible when the delayed potentials were completely eliminated. Left anterior fascicular VT develops in post-MI patients; ischemia-injured His-Purkinje system may be involved in the mechanism of the VT.     

Catheter Ablation of Ventricular Tachycardia After Myocardial Infarction: Relation of Endocardial Sinus Rhythm Late Potentials to the Reentry Circuit

Objectives. We sought to determine whether endocardial late potentials during sinus rhythm are associated with reentry circuit sites during ventricular tachycardia (VT).Background. During sinus rhythm, slow conduction through an old infarct region may depolarize tissue after the end of the QRS complex. Such slow conduction regions can cause reentry.Methods. Endocardial catheter mapping and radiofrequency ablation were performed in 24 patients with VT late after myocardial infarction. We selected for analysis a total of 103 sites where the electrogram was recorded during sinus rhythm and, without moving the catheter, VT was initiated and radiofrequency current applied in an attempt to terminate VT.Results. Late potentials were present at 34 sites (33%). During pace mapping, the stimulus-QRS complex was longer at late potential sites, consistent with slow conduction, than at sites without late potentials (p < 0.0001). Late potentials were present at 15 (71%) of 21 sites classified as central or proximal in the reentry circuit based on entrainment, but also occurred frequently at bystander sites (13 [33%] of 39) and were often absent at the reentry circuit exit (3 [23%] of 13). Late potentials were present at 20 (54%) of 37 sites where ablation terminated VT, compared with 14 (21%) of 66 sites where ablation did not terminate VT (p = 0.004). Ablation decreased the amplitude of the late potentials present at sites where ablation terminated VT.Conclusions. Although sites with sinus rhythm late potentials often participate in VT reentry circuits, many reentry circuit sites do not have late potentials. Late potentials can also arise from bystander regions. Late potentials may help identify abnormal regions in sinus rhythm but cannot replace mapping during induced VT to guide ablation.     

Catheter Ablation of Idiopathic Left Ventricular Tachycardia with Multiple Breakthrough Sites Guided by an Electroanatomical Mapping System

Idiopathic ventricular tachycardia (VT) has been considered to be amenable to radiofrequency catheter ablation guided by Purkinje potentials. However, there appear to be various types of reentrant circuits associated with this VT deduced from the results of the successful radiofrequency catheter ablation cases. We describe in this report a patient with idiopathic left ventricular tachycardia which was electrically inducible and verapamil sensitive. Multiple earliest ventricular activation sites during tachycardia were detected with electroanatomical mapping using the CARTO system. Multiple applications at these sites failed to eliminate the VT. The earliest Purkinje potential was recorded at least 1.5[emsp4 ]cm away from the earliest ventricular activation sites, and the radiofrequency current application at this site resulted in the complete abolition of this VT. The reentrant circuit of this tachycardia seemed to have multiple breakthrough sites to the ventricular myocardium, which were distant from the requisite part of the reentrant circuit of this VT involving the Purkinje fiber network conduction system.     

Diastolic potentials observed in idiopathic left ventricular tachycardia

Radiofrequency catheter ablation (RF-CA) has demonstrated a high success rate in eliminating idiopathic left ventricular tachycardia (ILVT), and the target site is determined by the score of pace mapping or the Purkinje potential (PP) preceding the onset of the ventricular activation, which is considered to indicate the exit site of the reentrant circuit. However, only a few reports have described the potential obtained from the slow conduction zone. RF-CA was successfully performed in 8 patients with ILVT. Careful mapping of the left ventricle during tachycardia was carried out to find the diastolic potential (DP). A DP was obtained in 4 patients (group 1), but not in 4 others (group 2). The local electrogram was recorded from the distal tip of the ablation catheter during the RF current application in order to investigate the pattern of termination of ILVT. A DP was recorded at the point where the catheter was slightly pulled back to a site proximal to the exit site of the reentrant circuit at the left interventricular basal septum. In group 1, conduction block between the DP and PP eliminated ILVT in 3 out of 4 cases, and 1 case showed conduction block between the DP and ventricular potential. In 2 out of 4 patients in group 2, the local electrogram showed conduction block between PP and the ventricular potential when VT terminated. The ablation site in group 1 was located relatively more basal than that in group 2 in anatomy. A DP was obtained in a half of the cases with ILVT and RF-CA at this site could eliminate ILVT. A DP was obtained at a site relatively basal to the exit of the reentrant circuit and it is considered that this is a useful marker in terms of the successful ablation of ILVT.     

心腔内超声心动图指导下经导管射频消融治疗左心室后乳头肌室性早搏

目的左心室后乳头肌起源的室性早搏（室早）因其体表心电图与左后分支参与的特发性室性心动过速（室速）一样,都表现为心电轴左偏,伴右束支阻滞合并左前分支阻滞,因此有相当一部分被误认为分支室早。为了明确二者起源点的异同,我们采用术中心腔内超声心动图（ICE）来实时监测消融靶点的确切解剖位置。方法选择3例频发室早患者（男2例,女1例）,平均24h室早30000多次,超声心动图均未见心脏结构异常。在三维电解剖系统（CartoXP）指导下,跨主动脉瓣逆行送入3．5mm冷盐水磁定位标测电极导管于左心室,以激动标测构建左心室内膜图。以室早时提前最多;起搏时能得到12／12导联一致的QRS波以及放电20S内室早逐渐减少和消失作为理想靶点标准。在理想靶点确认后,经ICE确认消融导管在左心室内的确切位置,并记录和分析其局部双极电位图。以既往消融成功的经典左后分支室速作为对照,比较两者之间心电图的异同,为以后的标测和消融提供真实可靠的参照。结果ICE证实该3例室早靶点均位于左心室后乳头肌根部或中段,其解剖位置与左心室特发性室速靶点明显不在同一位置,其消融位点较特发性室速更靠心尖部;其局部双极电位在窦性心律时偶尔也可记录到浦肯野电位,但在早搏时都不能记录到浦肯野电位,说明其为肌源性起源,而特发性室速靶点无论窦性心律下还是室速时均可记录到清晰的浦肯野电位;体表心电图尽管可鉴别的特征不多,但后乳头肌起源的室早较特发性室速胸前导联（V：～V。导联）QRS时限明显增宽（前者平均124ms,后者仅86ms）,R／S≤1移行也早于特发性室速（后乳头肌室早在V,导联移行为R／S≤1,特发性室速在V,导联才移行为R／S≤1）。消融10余小时后,室早复发。1个月时复查动态心电图,24h平均室早10000余次,二尖瓣功能未受到任何影响。结论通过实时ICE证实,后乳头肌室早无论起源位置、体表心电图形态还是局部靶点电图均与特发性室速有区别,这类室早消融效果较差,易复发。如何在增强消融强度、扩大消融范围和避免乳头肌损伤之间找到平衡点是该类室早消融的重点和难点。     

Verapamil-Sensitive Left Anterior Fascicular Ventricular Tachycardia: Results of Radiofrequency Ablation in Six Patients

Verapamil-Sensitive Left Anterior Fascicular VT. Introduction: Verapamil-sensitive left ventricular tachycardia (VT) with a right bundle branch block (RBBB) configuration and left-axis deviation bas been demonstrated to arise from the left posterior fascicle, and can be cured by catheter ablation guided by Purkinje potentials. Verapamil-sensitive VT with an RBBB configuration and right-axis deviation is rare, and may originate in the left anterior fascicle. Methods and Results: Six patients (five men and one woman, mean age 54 ± 15 years) with a history of sustained VT with an RBBB configuration and right-axis deviation underwent electrophysiologic study and radiofrequency (RF) ablation. VT was slowed and terminated by intravenous administration of verapamil in all six patients. Left ventricular endocardial mapping during VT identified the earliest ventricular activation in the anterolateral wall of the left ventricle in all patients. RF current delivered to this site suppressed the VT in three patients (ablation at the VT exit). The fused Purkinje potential was recorded at that site, and preceded the QRS complex by 35, 30, and 20 msec, with pace mapping showing an optimal match between the paced rhythm and the clinical VT. In the remaining three patients, RF catheter ablation at the site of the earliest ventricular activation was unsuccessful. In these three patients, Purkinje potential was recorded in the diastolic phase during VT at the mid-anterior left ventricular septum. The Purkinje potential preceded the QRS during VT by 66, 56, and 63 msec, and catheter ablation at these sites was successful (ablation at the zone of slow conduction). During 19 to 46 months of follow-up (mean 32 ± 9 months), one patient in the group of ablation at the VT exit bad sustained VT with a left bundle branch block configuration and an inferior axis, and one patient in the group of ablation at the zone of slow conduction experienced typical idiopathic VT with an RBBB configuration and left-axis deviation. Conclusion: Verapamil-sensitive VT with an RBBB configuration and right-axis deviation originates close to the anterior fascicle. RF catheter ablation can be performed successfully from the VT exit site or the zone of slow conduction where the Purkinje potential was recorded in the diastolic phase.     

Radiofrequency Ablation of Idiopathic Left Anterior Fascicular Tachycardia

Left Anterior Fascicular Tachycardia. Introduction: A 45-year-old man with idiopathic ventricular tachycardia (VT) having a right bundle branch block configuration with right-axis deviation underwent au electrophysiologic test.
Methods and Results: Mapping demonstrated a site on the auterobasal wall of the left ventricle where there was an excellent pace map and an endocardial activation time of -20 msec, hut radiofrequency catheter ablation at this site was unsuccessful. At a nearby site, a presumed Purkinje potential preceded the QRS complex by 30 msec during VT and sinus rhythm, and catheter ablation was effective despite a poor pace map and an endocardial ventricular activation time of zero.
Conclusion: Idiopathic VT with a right bundle branch configuration and right-axis deviation may originate in the area of the left anterior fascicle. A potential presumed to represent a Purkinje potential may he more helpful than endocardial ventricular activation mapping or pace mapping in guiding ablation of this type of 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?     

Double tachyarrhythmia: left anterior fascicular ventricular tachycardia associated with atrial flutter and fibrillation. Report of a case

A patient with episodes of palpitation in whom the electrocardiogram showed a right bundle branch (RBBB) configuration and right axis deviation underwent electrophysiologic study and radiofrequency ablation. Left ventricular endocardial mapping during ventricular tachycardia (VT) identified the earliest ventricular activation in the anterolateral wall of the left ventricle. The fused Purkinje potential was recorded at that site, and preceded the QRS complex by 47 mseg, with pace mapping showing an optimal match between the paced rhythm and the clinical VT. The stimulus to QRS time was equal to the Purkinje potential-QRS time. Several radiofrequency lesions were applied in this region, one of them resulted with termination of the tachycardia. Following delivery of this lesion the ventricular tachycardia couldn't be induced either at baseline or during isoproterenol infusion. During VT, atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter were observed, cardioversion was performed reverting to sinus rhythm.     

Identification of the slow conduction zone in a macroreentry circuit of verapamil-sensitive idiopathic left ventricular tachycardia using electroanatomic mapping

Identification of the Slow Conduction Zone in a Macroreentry. Background: Although idiopathic left ventricular tachycardia (ILVT) has been shown to possess a slow conduction zone (SCZ), the details of the electrophysiological and anatomic aspects are still not well understood. Objective: We hypothesized that the SCZ can be identified using a 3‐dimensional electroanatomic (EA) mapping system. Methods : Ten patients with ILVT were mapped using a 3‐dimensional electroanatomic (EA) mapping system. After a 3‐dimensional endocardial geometry of the left ventricular was created, the conduction system with left Purkinje potential (PP) and the SCZ with diastolic potential (DP) in LV were mapped during sinus rhythm (SR) and ventricular tachycardia (VT) and were tagged as special landmarks in the geometry. The electrophysiological and anatomic aspects of it were investigated. Results: EA mapping during SR and VT was successfully performed in 7 patients, during VT in 3 patients. The SCZ with DPs located at the inferoposterior septum was found in 7 patients during SR and all patients during VT. The length of the SCZ was 25.2 ± 2.3 mm with conduction velocity 0.08 ± 0.01 m/s. No differences in these parameters were found between patients during SR and VT (P > 0.05). An area with PP was found within the posterior septum. A crossover junction area with DP and PP was found in 7 patients during SR and VT. This area with DP and PP during SR coincided or were in proximity to such area during VT and radiofrequency ablation targeting the site within the area abolished VT in all patients. Conclusion: The ILVT substrate within the junction area of the SCZ and the posterior fascicular can be identified and can be used to guide the ablation of ILVT. (J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol, Vol. 23, pp. 840‐845, August 2012)     

A Case with Occurrence of Antidromic Tachycardia After Ablation of Idiopathic Left Fascicular Tachycardia: Mechanism of Left Upper Septal Ventricular Tachycardia

A 36‐year‐old male presented with verapamil‐sensitive narrow QRS tachycardia. The patient underwent the catheter ablation of common idiopathic left fascicular ventricular tachycardia (ILVT) 2 years ago. During narrow QRS tachycardia, the diastolic and presystolic potentials (P1 and P2) were recorded at the left septum. Activation sequences of P1 and P2 were opposite from those in common ILVT. Entrainment of P1 at the upper septum exhibited concealed fusion and S‐QRS equal to P1‐QRS. Radiofrequency current to P1 suppressed VT. Idiopathic left upper septal VT might be the antidromic macroreentry of the common form of ILVT.     

Non-contact mapping and linear ablation of the left posterior fascicle during sinus rhythm in the treatment of idiopathic left ventricular tachycardia.

AIM: The reentry circuit of idiopathic left ventricular tachycardia (ILVT) has been demonstrated to be confined to the left posterior Purkinje network. We hypothesized that mapping and linear ablation of the left posterior fascicle (LPF) during sinus rhythm guided by non-contact mapping can effectively modify the arrhythmogenic substrate in patients with ILVT and abolish the tachycardia. METHODS: Six patients with ILVT, consisting of one case in which conventional mapping failed three times, one recurrent case, one non-inducible case and three common cases, were included in the study. After a three-dimensional endocardial geometry of the left ventricle (LV) was created, the conduction system in the LV was mapped during sinus rhythm using a filter setting of 8 Hz. The His bundle area, left bundle branch, fascicles and sinus breakout point (SBO) were mapped in detail and tagged as special landmarks in the geometry. A linear lesion was placed perpendicular to the wave front propagation direction of the LPF, 1cm above the SBO. There was a small Purkinje potential preceding the ventricular activation at its starting and ending point. RESULTS: The mean tachycardia cycle length of ILVT in this study was 340.3+/-51.4ms. After a mean of 5.5+/-1.6 radiofrequency deliveries, the clinical tachycardias could not be induced and the 12-lead surface ECG showed right QRS axis deviation (mean 39.7+/-26.0 degrees) in all patients. The total procedure time was 160.0+/-32.2 min with fluoroscopic time of 26.0+/-6.8 min. No ILVT was inducible during control stimulation, and none recurred during a mean follow-up of 13.0+/-4.8 months. CONCLUSION: Mapping and linear ablation of the Purkinje network in LPF area guided by non-contact mapping is an effective and safe treatment of ILVT with radiofrequency energy, especially for those ILVTs which were unsuccessfully treated by conventional means or were non-inducible or non-sustained during the procedure.