The use of a high-resolution mapping system may facilitate standard clinical practice in VE and VT ablation.

BACKGROUND

First experiences using a 64-electrode mini-basket catheter (BC) paired with an automatic mapping system (Rhythmia™) for catheter ablation (CA) of ventricular ectopy (VE) and ventricular tachycardia (VT) have been reported.

OBJECTIVES

We aimed to evaluate (1) differences in ventricular access for the BC and (2) benefit of this technology in the setting of standard clinical practice.

METHODS

Patients (pts) undergoing CA for VE or VT using the Intellamap Orion™ paired with the Rhythmia™ automated-mapping system were included in this study. For LV access, transseptal and retrograde access were compared.

RESULTS

All 32 pts (29 men, age 63 ± 15 years) underwent CA for VE (17 pts) or VT (15 pts). For mapping of VE originating from the left ventricle (LV) in 10 out of 13 pts, a transaortic access was feasible. The predominant access for CA of VT was transaortic (5/7). Feasibility and safety seem to be equal. The total procedure time was 179.1 ± 21.2 min for VE ablation and 212.0 ± 71.7 min for VT ablation (p = 0.177). For VE, an acquisition of 1602 ± 1672 map points and annotation of 140 ± 98 automated mapping points sufficed to abolish VE in all pts. During a 6-month follow-up (FU) after CA for VE, a VE burden reduction from 18.5 ± 2.1% to 2.8 ± 2.2% (p = 0.019) was achieved. In VT pts, one patient showed recurrence of sustained VT episodes during FU.

CONCLUSION

Use of a high-resolution mapping system for VE/VT CA potentially facilitates revelation of VE origin and VT circuits in the setting of standard clinical practice. Feasibility and safety of a venous, transaortic, transseptal, or a combined approach seem to be equal.