Radiofrequency current catheter ablation for ventricular tachycardia

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Electrophysiology
• Interventional Cardiology
• Cardiac Arrhythmias

Background:

• Ventricular tachycardia (VT) is a potentially life-threatening arrhythmia.
• Catheter ablation is an established treatment for refractory VT.
• Identifying the precise origin of VT is crucial for successful ablation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy and safety of radiofrequency current catheter ablation for various morphologies of ventricular tachycardia.
• To assess the effectiveness of ablation performed during an episode of VT.
• To determine factors influencing ablation success, such as underlying heart disease and origin of VT.

Main Methods:

• Radiofrequency catheter ablation was performed in 14 patients with 17 morphologies of VT.
• VT origin was identified by earliest ventricular activation or pacing in slow conduction areas.
• Ablation was conducted during VT in 15 cases, with energy delivered at 20-50 Watts.

Main Results:

• Eighty-two percent of treated VTs (14/17) were non-inducible post-ablation.
• Seventy-nine percent of patients (11/14) were free from inducible VT after ablation.
• Ablation was highly effective for VT without underlying heart disease (91%) and right ventricular VT (100%).

Conclusions:

• Radiofrequency catheter ablation is an effective and safe treatment for ventricular tachycardia.
• Ablation is particularly successful in VTs without underlying heart disease or originating from the right ventricle.
• Performing ablation during VT aids in accurate site identification and lesion creation, enhancing safety and efficacy.