[Radiofrequency ablation in ventricular tachycardia: an alternative to implanted cardioverter defibrillator?]

Patients with ventricular tachycardia (VT) are subject to frequent recurrences despite antiarrhythmic drug therapy. Radiofrequency ablation is a useful alternative. Implantable defibrillators terminate episodes of VT but do not prevent them. The efficacy of catheter ablation depends on the cause and location of VT. There are two situations: VT in patients without identifiable structural heart disease or idiopathic VT and VT related to structural heart disease. After catheter ablation, idiopathic VT has a good prognosis and implantable defibrillators are usually not indicated. Scar-related VT are more difficult to treat with catheter ablation, but this technique is particularly useful for controlling frequent defibrillator shocks and incessant VT.