Gender Difference in Idiopathic Right Ventricular Outflow Tract-Ventricular Tachycardia

Few studies have discussed gender differences in idiopathic right ventricular outflow tract-ventricular tachycardia (RVOT-VT). This study explored possible gender differences in electrophysiological characteristics and catheter ablation for idiopathic RVOT-VT in Taiwan.

Ninety-three patients (mean age 38.7 ± 15.5years, 30 males) were diagnosed as having idiopathic RVOT-VT between 1998 and 2010, and were enrolled and analyzed as part of our investigation.

The age of onset, syncope episodes, underlying hypertension, diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia or family history of ventricular arrhythmias did not differ between males and females. Male patients had longer QRS width (99.9 ± 19.4 ms vs. 88.4 ± 20.7 ms, p = 0.02). Female patients had lower right ventricular mean voltage (3.0 ± 0.7 mV vs. 3.7 ± 0.9 mV, p = 0.03), and more low voltage zone over the right ventricular outflow tract free wall (27.0% vs. 6.7%, p = 0.02). Eighty-one patients received catheter ablation (23 males). The acute success rate, repeated catheter ablation rate and VT recurrence rate were similar between the genders.

Our study did reveal differences in electroanatomical characteristics by gender for patients who had idiopathic RVOT-VT, but overall outcomes after catheter ablation were similar.

Gender; Right ventricular outflow tract-ventricular tachycardia.