[RF ablation in a patient with recurrent post-infarction ventricular tachycardia requiring multiple
Jacek Kuśnierz1, Lukasz Szumowski, Lukasz Pastwa
1Klinika Zaburzeń Rytmu Serca, Instytut Kardiologii, ul. Alpejska 42, 04-628 Warszawa.
Insights
A patient with a history of heart attack and ventricular tachycardia experienced device shocks. Radiofrequency ablation successfully treated the life-threatening arrhythmias.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Electrophysiology
- Medical Devices
Background:
- A 51-year-old male with myocardial infarction (MI) and recurrent ventricular tachycardia (VT) history.
- Received prophylactic implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) for complex ventricular arrhythmias and reduced ejection fraction.
Observation:
- Patient experienced palpitations and ICD shocks during physical activity.
- ICD interrogation revealed appropriate shocks for slow VT (160 bpm).
Findings:
- Reprogramming the ICD with antitachycardia pacing (ATP) algorithms resulted in proarrhythmia and accelerated VT.
- Patient received 37 ICD shocks within hours due to ATP-induced VT acceleration.
Implications:
- This case highlights the potential proarrhythmic effect of ATP in certain VT morphologies.
- Successful radiofrequency (RF) ablation using CARTO electro-anatomical mapping provided a definitive treatment for refractory VT.
Abstract:
A case of a 51 year old patient with a history of myocardial infarction (MI) and recurrent ventricular tachycardia (VT) is presented. Three months after MI the patient underwent coronary angioplasty and one year later received prophylactic implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) due to complex ventricular arrhythmias, detected on Holter ECG monitoring, and depressed left ventricular ejection fraction. Later on the patient started to experience palpitations and ICD shocks during physical activity (cycling). Interrogation of the ICD memory showed appropriate shocks due to slow (160 betas/min) VT. The device was reprogrammed and new antitachycardia pacing (ATP) algorithms were enabled, however, it occurred proarrhythmic due to the ATP-induced acceleration of VT rate. Finally, in April 2005 he received 37 appropriate ICD shocks during a few hours. The patient was selected for RF ablation and underwent successful procedure with the use of the electro-anatomical CARTO mapping system.
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