3D mapping challenges in hybrid video-assisted thoracoscopic surgical ablation of Brugada syndrome
Ivan Eltsov1,2, Luigi Pannone2, Robbert Ramak2
1Cardiac Surgery Department, Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel-Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium.
Objectives:
Brugada syndrome is a life-threatening disease with an arrhythmogenic substrate located in the epicardium of right ventricle outflow tract. Therefore, the correct region identification is crucial for a successful ablation procedure. Various mapping techniques can be adopted to elaborate this issue, but they were all initially developed for endovascular use.
Methods:
In this study, we analysed 21 consecutive hybrid video-assisted thoracoscopic ablation of Brugada syndrome, performed using different mapping systems to identify the ablation target and confirm the elimination of arrhythmogenic substrate; 35 maps have been analysed.
Results:
Acute success of epicardial right ventricle outflow tract ablation has been achieved in 100% of procedures, no periprocedural complications have been observed; HD Grid catheter showed higher area identification speed and faster fractionated potentials visualization; Rhythmia system has demonstrated the best map density; Carto 3 system showed a significant advantage in patient preparation time, but mapping speed was reduced due to focal catheter use only.
Conclusions:
All tested electro anatomical mapping systems can be used for hybrid video-assisted thoracoscopic ablation with same clinical success; however, accuracy and efficacy of mapping systems are heterogenous and highly dependent on proper patient preparation, mapping system and physician skills.


