Ablation of ventricular arrhythmias
Mouhannad M Sadek1, Francis E Marchlinski1
1Electrophysiology Section, Cardiovascular Division, Department of Medicine, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, 9 Founders Pavilion-Cardiology, 3400 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104.
Trends in Cardiovascular Medicine
|September 15, 2014
Summary
This review covers ventricular arrhythmias (VAs), including premature depolarizations (VPDs) and ventricular tachycardia (VT), in patients with and without heart disease. Catheter ablation offers a cure for many, but optimal strategies for scar-related VT require further study.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Electrophysiology
- Cardiac Pacing, Arrhythmia, and Conduction
Background:
- Ventricular arrhythmias (VAs) are common in patients with structural heart disease, presenting as ventricular premature depolarizations (VPDs), monomorphic ventricular tachycardia (VT), or polymorphic VT/ventricular fibrillation.
- Idiopathic VAs can also affect individuals with structurally normal hearts.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the etiology, clinical presentation, and management strategies for various types of VAs.
- To discuss medical and invasive treatment options, including catheter ablation approaches.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of etiology, clinical presentation, and management of VAs.
- Discussion of medical therapies and invasive strategies, focusing on catheter ablation.
Main Results:
- Ablation of VPDs and idiopathic VT is curative for most patients.
- Ongoing research is needed to determine the optimal ablation strategy for scar-related VT.
Conclusions:
- Ventricular arrhythmias have diverse causes and presentations.
- Catheter ablation is a key treatment modality, with established efficacy for VPDs and idiopathic VT, but further research is essential for scar-related VT management.
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