Completely nonfluoroscopic catheter ablation of left atrial arrhythmias and ventricular tachycardia

Fluoroscopy use during catheter ablation procedures increases the cumulative lifetime radiation exposure of patients and operators, potentially leading to a higher risk of cancer and radiation-related injuries. Nonfluoroscopic ablation (NFA) has been described for supraventricular tachycardia, typical atrial flutter, paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF), and outflow-tract ventricular tachycardia (VT). Complete transition to NFA of more complex arrhythmias, including persistent AF, left atrial (LA) flutter, and structural VT, has not been previously described. We describe the transition to completely NFA of complex arrhythmias, including LA flutter and structural VT. The techniques, challenges, limitations, and results are described.

Complex ablation procedures were performed using intracardiac echocardiography (ICE) and a three-dimensional mapping system without fluoroscopy or lead protection. Eighty consecutive patients underwent NFA (mean age, 60.1 ± 9.9 years, 70 with LA arrhythmias, 10 with VT). All cases were performed without the need for rescue fluoroscopy. There was an initial increase in procedural time for ablation of LA arrhythmias upon transitioning to NFA. However, after excluding the first 20 NFA cases to allow for operator learning, the transition to NFA was not associated with an increase in mean procedural time (229 ± 38 vs 225 ± 32 minutes; P = 0.002 for noninferiority). All procedures were completed successfully with no complications.

NFA of most complex arrhythmias (persistent AF, LA flutter, and structural VT) is feasible, with a modest learning curve and no increase in procedural times.