Feasibility, Efficacy, and Safety of Fluoroless Ablation of VT in Patients With Structural Heart Disease.

BACKGROUND

Catheter ablation of ventricular tachycardia (VT) typically requires radiation exposure with its potential adverse health effects. A completely fluoroless ablation approach is achievable using a combination of electroanatomical mapping and intracardiac echocardiography. Nonetheless, data in patients undergoing VT ablation are limited.

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to determine the feasibility, efficacy, and safety of VT ablation in patients with structural heart disease using a zero-fluoroscopy approach.

METHODS

This multicenter study included consecutive patients with ischemic and nonischemic cardiomyopathy undergoing fluoroless VT ablation. Patients requiring epicardial access or coronary angiography were excluded.

RESULTS

Between 2017 and 2023 a total of 198 patients (aged 66.4 ± 13.4 years, 76% male, 48% ischemic) were included. Most patients (95.4%) underwent left ventricular (LV) mapping and/or ablation, which was conducted via transseptal route in 54.5% (n = 103), via retrograde aortic route in 43.4% (n = 82), and using a combined approach in 2.1% (n = 4). Two-thirds of patients had a cardiac device, including a biventricular device in 15%; 2 patients had a LV assist device, and 1 patient had a mechanical aortic valve prosthesis. The mean total procedural time was 211 ± 70 minutes, and the total radiofrequency time was 30 ± 22 minutes. During a follow-up period of 22 ± 18 months, the freedom from VT recurrence was 80%, and 7.6% of patients underwent a repeated ablation. Procedural-related complications occurred in 6 patients (3.0%).

CONCLUSIONS

Fluoroless ablation of VT in structural heart disease is feasible, effective, and safe when epicardial mapping/ablation is not required.