RESUMO
Tuberous sclerosis complex is associated with the occurrence of cardiac rhabdomyomas that may result in life-threatening arrhythmia unresponsive to standard antiarrhythmic therapy. We report the case of an infant with multiple cardiac rhabdomyomas who developed severe refractory supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) that was successfully treated with everolimus. Pharmacological mTOR inhibition rapidly improved arrhythmia within few weeks after treatment initiation and correlated with a reduction in tumor size. Intermediate attempts to discontinue everolimus resulted in rhabdomyoma size rebound and recurrence of arrhythmic episodes, which resolved on resumption of therapy. While everolimus treatment led to successful control of arrhythmia in the first years of life, episodes of SVT reoccurred at the age of 6 years. Electrophysiologic testing confirmed an accessory pathway that was successfully ablated, resulting in freedom of arrhythmic events. In summary we present an in-depth evaluation of the long-term use of everolimus in a child with TSC-associated SVT, including the correlation between drug use and arrhythmia outcome. This case report provides important information on the safety and efficacy of an mTOR inhibitor for the treatment of a potentially life-threatening cardiac disease manifestation in TSC for which the optimal treatment strategy is still not well established.
Assuntos
Neoplasias Cardíacas , Rabdomioma , Esclerose Tuberosa , Lactente , Criança , Humanos , Everolimo/uso terapêutico , Esclerose Tuberosa/complicações , Esclerose Tuberosa/tratamento farmacológico , Rabdomioma/complicações , Rabdomioma/tratamento farmacológico , Rabdomioma/patologia , Arritmias Cardíacas/complicações , Arritmias Cardíacas/tratamento farmacológico , Serina-Treonina Quinases TOR , Neoplasias Cardíacas/complicações , Neoplasias Cardíacas/tratamento farmacológico , Neoplasias Cardíacas/patologiaRESUMO
AIMS: Non-compaction cardiomyopathy (NCCM) is associated with high rates of mortality and morbidity. Knowledge regarding risk stratification, arrhythmogenesis, therapy, and prognosis is limited. The aim of this study was to analyse the outcome of patients suffering from NCCM and ventricular arrhythmias (VAs) focusing on a treatment with implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) therapy and catheter ablation. METHODS AND RESULTS: We conducted a multicentre observational study on 18 patients with NCCM, who underwent ICD implantation for secondary (n = 12) and primary (n = 6) prevention. In patients with multiple symptomatic episodes of VAs catheter ablation was performed. During a follow-up of 62 ± 42 months, 12 patients (67%) presented with appropriate ICD therapies [ventricular tachycardia (VT): n = 8; ventricular fibrillation (VF): n = 4; VT/VF: n = 3]. Ten patients underwent catheter ablation for VT/VF. Solely endocardial ablation was conducted in eight patients, and in two patients endo- and epicardial ablation was performed within the same procedure. Acute procedural success was achieved in 9/10 patients. Ventricular tachycardia recurrence was observed in two patients and the median arrhythmia free interval was 9.5 months (interquartile range 5.3-21 months). One patient underwent reablation, four patients died due to the underlying NCCM, and one patient received a left ventricular assist device. CONCLUSION: Ventricular arrhythmias are common in patients suffering from NCCM and ICD therapy may be effective for primary and secondary prevention. In our cohort, consisting of patients with multiple VA episodes and recurrent ICD therapy, catheter ablation offered a safe and effective therapeutically option.
Assuntos
Ablação por Cateter , Desfibriladores Implantáveis , Cardiopatias Congênitas/complicações , Taquicardia Ventricular/prevenção & controle , Adulto , Idoso , Mapeamento Epicárdico , Feminino , Humanos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-IdadeRESUMO
The population of patients with congenital heart disease (CHD) is continuously increasing with more and more patients reaching adulthood. A significant portion of these young adults will suffer from arrhythmias due to the underlying congenital heart defect itself or as a sequela of interventional or surgical treatment. The medical community will encounter an increasing challenge as even most of the individuals with complex congenital heart defects nowadays become young adults. Within the past 20 years, management of patients with arrhythmias has gained remarkable progress including pharmacological treatment, catheter ablation, and device therapy. Catheter ablation in patients with CHD has paralleled the advances of this technology in pediatric and adult patients with structurally normal hearts. Growing experience and introduction of new techniques like the 3D mapping systems into clinical practice have been particularly beneficial for this growing population of patients with abnormal cardiac anatomy and physiology. Finally, device therapies allowing maintanence of chronotropic competence and AV conduction, improving haemodynamics by cardiac resynchronization, and preventing sudden death are increasingly used. For pharmacological therapy, ablation procedures, and device therapy decision making requires a deep understanding of the individual pathological anatomy and physiology as well as detailed knowledge on natural history and long-term prognosis of our patients. Composing expert opinions from cardiology and paediatric cardiology as well as from non-invasive and invasive electrophysiology this position paper was designed to state the art in management of young individuals with congenital heart defects and arrhythmias.
Assuntos
Arritmias Cardíacas , Procedimentos Cirúrgicos Cardíacos , Cardiologia , Morte Súbita Cardíaca , Cardiopatias Congênitas , Administração dos Cuidados ao Paciente , Arritmias Cardíacas/diagnóstico , Arritmias Cardíacas/etiologia , Arritmias Cardíacas/terapia , Terapia de Ressincronização Cardíaca/métodos , Procedimentos Cirúrgicos Cardíacos/efeitos adversos , Procedimentos Cirúrgicos Cardíacos/métodos , Cardiologia/métodos , Cardiologia/tendências , Ablação por Cateter/métodos , Morte Súbita Cardíaca/etiologia , Morte Súbita Cardíaca/prevenção & controle , Desfibriladores Implantáveis , Técnicas Eletrofisiológicas Cardíacas/métodos , Europa (Continente) , Cardiopatias Congênitas/complicações , Cardiopatias Congênitas/cirurgia , Humanos , Administração dos Cuidados ao Paciente/métodos , Administração dos Cuidados ao Paciente/normas , Adulto JovemAssuntos
Cardiologia/história , Cardiopatias Congênitas/história , Pediatria/história , Cardiologia/educação , Educação Médica/história , Cardiopatias Congênitas/diagnóstico por imagem , Cardiopatias Congênitas/patologia , História do Século XX , História do Século XXI , Humanos , Pediatria/educaçãoRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Atrial tachycardia (AT) and atrial fibrillation (AF) coexist in 30% of congenital heart disease (CHD) patients. Successful atrial tachycardia catheter ablation (ATCA) might prevent AF. Data on new-onset AF after ATCA in CHD is scarce. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to evaluate the incidence of new-onset AF after ATCA and to assess clinical characteristics associated with new-onset AF after ATCA in CHD. METHODS: CHD patients referred for ATCA to 3 European centers were included. New occurrence of AF was defined as electrocardiographic documentation of AF after any ATCA procedure in patients without history of AF. RESULTS: In 277 CHD patients (median age 37 years [Q1, Q3: 23, 49 years], 58% men, 59 [21%] simple, 111 [40%] moderate, and 107 [39%] complex CHD), AF occurred in 25 patients (9%) a median of 8 months (Q1, Q3: 4, 27 months) after ATCA. New-onset AF was persistent in the majority of the patients (17 of 25 [63%]). Patients with new-onset AF were older (44 years [Q1, Q3: 29, 55 years] vs 36 years [Q1, Q3: 23, 49 years]; P = 0.009) and more frequently had simple CHD (13 of 25 [52%] vs 46 of 252 [18%], respectively; P < 0.0001). Acute ATCA success rates were similar in patients with and without AF (52% vs 48%; P = 0.429). Simple CHD was an independent predictor of new-onset AF during follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: In our large cohort of patients with congenital heart disease, new-onset AF after ablation for AT occurred in only 9% of the patients. AF occurred without AT recurrence and was persistent in the majority of patients.
Assuntos
Fibrilação Atrial , Ablação por Cateter , Cardiopatias Congênitas , Humanos , Fibrilação Atrial/cirurgia , Fibrilação Atrial/epidemiologia , Masculino , Feminino , Ablação por Cateter/efeitos adversos , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Adulto , Cardiopatias Congênitas/cirurgia , Cardiopatias Congênitas/complicações , Cardiopatias Congênitas/epidemiologia , Incidência , Adulto Jovem , EletrocardiografiaRESUMO
In children with structurally normal hearts, the mechanisms of arrhythmias are usually the same as in the adult patient. Some arrhythmias are particularly associated with young age and very rarely seen in adult patients. Arrhythmias in structural heart disease may be associated either with the underlying abnormality or result from surgical intervention. Chronic haemodynamic stress of congenital heart disease (CHD) might create an electrophysiological and anatomic substrate highly favourable for re-entrant arrhythmias. As a general rule, prescription of antiarrhythmic drugs requires a clear diagnosis with electrocardiographic documentation of a given arrhythmia. Risk-benefit analysis of drug therapy should be considered when facing an arrhythmia in a child. Prophylactic antiarrhythmic drug therapy is given only to protect the child from recurrent supraventricular tachycardia during this time span until the disease will eventually cease spontaneously. In the last decades, radiofrequency catheter ablation is progressively used as curative therapy for tachyarrhythmias in children and patients with or without CHD. Even in young children, procedures can be performed with high success rates and low complication rates as shown by several retrospective and prospective paediatric multi-centre studies. Three-dimensional mapping and non-fluoroscopic navigation techniques and enhanced catheter technology have further improved safety and efficacy even in CHD patients with complex arrhythmias. During last decades, cardiac devices (pacemakers and implantable cardiac defibrillator) have developed rapidly. The pacing generator size has diminished and the pacing leads have become progressively thinner. These developments have made application of cardiac pacing in children easier although no dedicated paediatric pacing systems exist.
Assuntos
Antiarrítmicos/uso terapêutico , Arritmias Cardíacas/terapia , Cardiologia/normas , Procedimentos Cirúrgicos Cardiovasculares/normas , Cardioversão Elétrica/normas , Pediatria/normas , Criança , HumanosRESUMO
The atrioventricular (AV) valve plane and the central septum are of particular importance for electrophysiological diagnosis and interventional therapy of supraventricular tachycardias because accessory electrical connections of various types may be present in addition to the specific conduction system. Although modern 3D electroanatomic reconstruction systems including high-density mapping can be of great assistance, detailed knowledge of the anatomic structures involved, their complex three-dimensional arrangement, and their electrical properties in conjunction with electrophysiological features of supraventricular arrhythmias is essential for safe and efficient electrophysiological treatment. The aim of this article is to present current anatomical, topographical, and electrophysiological findings against the background of historical, seminal, and still indispensable literature.
Assuntos
Feixe Acessório Atrioventricular , Ablação por Cateter , Taquicardia por Reentrada no Nó Atrioventricular , Taquicardia Supraventricular , Feixe Acessório Atrioventricular/complicações , Feixe Acessório Atrioventricular/diagnóstico , Feixe Acessório Atrioventricular/cirurgia , Nó Atrioventricular/cirurgia , Ablação por Cateter/efeitos adversos , Eletrocardiografia , Sistema de Condução Cardíaco/cirurgia , Humanos , Taquicardia por Reentrada no Nó Atrioventricular/diagnóstico , Taquicardia por Reentrada no Nó Atrioventricular/cirurgia , Taquicardia Supraventricular/diagnóstico , Taquicardia Supraventricular/cirurgiaRESUMO
Atrioventricular (AV) nodal reentrant tachycardia represents the most common regular supraventricular arrhythmia in humans, and catheter ablation of the so called slow AV nodal pathway has been effectively performed for decades. In patients with congenital heart disease, a combination of different factors makes catheter ablation of AV nodal reentrant tachycardia substrate particularly challenging, including abnormal venous access to intracardiac structures, abnormal intracardiac anatomy, potentially deviant and often unpredictable sites of the specific conduction system, loss of traditional anatomic landmarks, and congenital cardiac surgery that may complicate the access to the AV nodal area. Published experiences have confirmed the efficacy and the relative safety of such procedures when performed by experts, but the risk of complications, in particular AV block, remains non-negligible. A thorough knowledge and understanding of anatomic and electrical specificities according to underlying phenotype are essential in addressing these complex cases. Considering the major consequences associated with AV block in patients with complex congenital heart disease, particularly those without low risk access for transvenous ventricular pacing (eg, single ventricle physiology or Eisenmenger syndrome), the individual risk-benefit ratio should be carefully evaluated. The decision to defer ablation may be the wisest approach in selected patients with either infrequent or hemodynamically tolerated arrhythmias, or when the location of the AV conduction pathways remains uncertain. This narrative review aims to synthetize existing literature on catheter ablation of AV nodal reentrant tachycardia in congenital heart disease, to present main features of common associated pathologies, and to discuss approaches to mapping and safely ablating the slow AV nodal pathway in challenging cases.
Assuntos
Nó Atrioventricular/cirurgia , Ablação por Cateter , Criocirurgia , Cardiopatias Congênitas/complicações , Taquicardia por Reentrada no Nó Atrioventricular/cirurgia , Potenciais de Ação , Nó Atrioventricular/fisiopatologia , Ablação por Cateter/efeitos adversos , Tomada de Decisão Clínica , Criocirurgia/efeitos adversos , Cardiopatias Congênitas/diagnóstico , Cardiopatias Congênitas/fisiopatologia , Frequência Cardíaca , Humanos , Complicações Pós-Operatórias , Medição de Risco , Fatores de Risco , Taquicardia por Reentrada no Nó Atrioventricular/diagnóstico , Taquicardia por Reentrada no Nó Atrioventricular/etiologia , Taquicardia por Reentrada no Nó Atrioventricular/fisiopatologia , Resultado do TratamentoRESUMO
When deciding on antiarrhythmic drug (AAD) treatment, a thorough knowledge of the physiological adaptation processes that occur during pregnancy and their effect on metabolism and the efficacy of AAD is mandatory. Beyond the desired effects of AAD therapy, side effects can occur in pregnant women. Furthermore, potential harm to fetal development-depending on gestational age-needs to be considered. A thorough evaluation of potential risks opposed to expected benefits for mother and fetus should be carried out before initiation of AAD treatment. Regular maternal echocardiography and fetal sonographic examination during pregnancy under AAD treatment are advisable. If possible, serum concentrations of AAD should be measured on a regular basis. Due to electrolyte and volume imbalances after delivery, maternal monitoring is recommended for approximately 48â¯h under AAD therapy. Current guidelines are based on almost historic analyses, where AAD were often prescribed for other indications than rhythm disorders. In clinical practice, AAD predominantly used during pregnancy are intravenous adenosine for acute treatment of atrioventricular nodal dependent tachycardias, whereas betablockers, sotalol, and flecainide can be orally administered for long-term therapy.
Assuntos
Antiarrítmicos , Taquicardia Supraventricular , Antiarrítmicos/efeitos adversos , Feminino , Humanos , Gravidez , Taquicardia Supraventricular/tratamento farmacológicoRESUMO
[Figure: see text].
Assuntos
Ablação por Cateter/métodos , Eletrocardiografia , Cardiopatias Congênitas/complicações , Taquicardia por Reentrada no Nó Atrioventricular/cirurgia , Adulto , Procedimentos Cirúrgicos Cardíacos , Europa (Continente)/epidemiologia , Feminino , Seguimentos , Cardiopatias Congênitas/fisiopatologia , Cardiopatias Congênitas/cirurgia , Humanos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Taxa de Sobrevida/tendências , Taquicardia por Reentrada no Nó Atrioventricular/etiologia , Taquicardia por Reentrada no Nó Atrioventricular/mortalidade , Fatores de Tempo , Resultado do TratamentoAssuntos
Arritmias Cardíacas/epidemiologia , Arritmias Cardíacas/terapia , Atenolol/uso terapêutico , Ablação por Cateter/estatística & dados numéricos , Flecainida/uso terapêutico , Marca-Passo Artificial/estatística & dados numéricos , Padrões de Prática Médica/estatística & dados numéricos , Feminino , Humanos , MasculinoRESUMO
With the rapid development of new mapping and imaging technologies as well as catheter ablation technologies, it is increasingly important to understand the basic concepts of conventional mapping and ablation of cardiac arrhythmias. Prerequisite for successful ablation is the exact identification of the tachycardia mechanism and subsequent localization of the origin or tachycardic substrate. Only intracardiac electrograms provide decisive information regarding activation time and signal morphology. In some arrhythmias, it is necessary to supplement conventional mapping with so-called pace and/or entrainment mapping. This article aims to discuss and demonstrate the fundamentals of intracardiac mapping as it relates to the mapping and ablation of supraventricular and ventricular arrhythmias based on representative clinical cases. Modern three-dimensional mapping methods make it possible to individually optimize established ablation strategies with significantly better spatial resolution. The authors aimed to demonstrate that intracardiac uni- and bipolar electrograms provide essential information about timing and morphology guiding successful catheter ablation. Furthermore, our article provides useful information about conventional cardiac mapping techniques including activation mapping, pace mapping, and individual substrate mapping.
Assuntos
Arritmias Cardíacas , Mapeamento Potencial de Superfície Corporal , Ablação por Cateter , Técnicas Eletrofisiológicas Cardíacas , Humanos , Taquicardia VentricularRESUMO
PURPOSE: Radiofrequency current energy (RFC) ablation is still considered as the gold standard for atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia (AVNRT). Success-rates for AVNRT ablation vary irrespective of the ablation technology and strategy. This study aimed to access safety, efficacy, and long-term outcome of RFC catheter ablation for the treatment of AVNRT in children and adolescents aged < 19 years with special focus on modulation versus ablation of the AV nodal slow pathway (SP). METHODS: A total number of 1143 patients (pts) < 19 years were referred for invasive electrophysiological testing due to paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia (SVT). RESULTS: Diagnosis of AVNRT was confirmed in 412 pts, and RFC-guided ablation was attempted in 386 pts (age 13.0 ± 3.5 years). No permanent complications were observed. RFC application resulted in SP-ablation in 171/386 (44.3%) and in SP modulation in 208/386 (53.9%) children, whereas attempts for RFC treatment failed in 7 pts. Follow-up was completed for 396/412 patients (96.1%). Within a mean follow-up period of 54.9 ± 39.7 months, in 51/379 pts (13.5%) AVNRT recurrence was observed. The median time until tachycardia recurrence was 19.5 months. No difference for AVNRT recurrence was found comparing SP ablation versus SP modulation (p > 0.05), whereas the recurrence rate was significantly higher in patients with non-inducible SVT and therefore empiric SP treatment as compared to patients with inducible AVNRT (p = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: RFC-guided ablation for AVNRT in children and adolescents is safe and leads to an acceptable long-term freedom from recurrences. SP modulation and SP ablation resulted in comparable acute and long-term success rates. Late AVNRT recurrences can occur even after years of freedom from tachycardia-related symptoms.
Assuntos
Ablação por Cateter/métodos , Eletrocardiografia/métodos , Taquicardia por Reentrada no Nó Atrioventricular/diagnóstico por imagem , Taquicardia por Reentrada no Nó Atrioventricular/cirurgia , Adolescente , Fatores Etários , Criança , Pré-Escolar , Estudos de Coortes , Feminino , Seguimentos , Humanos , Estimativa de Kaplan-Meier , Masculino , Recidiva , Estudos Retrospectivos , Medição de Risco , Índice de Gravidade de Doença , Estatísticas não Paramétricas , Fatores de Tempo , Resultado do Tratamento , Adulto JovemRESUMO
OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to evaluate the impact, safety, and success of atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation in adults with congenital heart disease (ACHD) transferring ablation strategies established in normal hearts. BACKGROUND: AF is an emerging arrhythmia in ACHD. METHODS: Fifty-seven consecutive ACHD (median age 51.1 ± 14.8 years) with drug-refractory AF were analyzed who underwent catheter ablation between 2004 and 2017. CHD was classified according to its complexity into mild (61.4%), moderate (17.5%), and severe (21.1%) lesions. AF ablation was performed in 104 procedures following a sequential ablation approach. RESULTS: Of the 57 patients, 30 underwent corrective surgery, 6 underwent palliative surgery, 5 had catheter interventions, and 16 were natural survivors. Follow-up was available for all patients (median 41 ± 36 months). The median duration of cyanosis was 9.2 ± 19.7 years, and the time of volume or pressure overload prior to corrective surgery or intervention was 26.1 ± 21.2 years and 18.1 ± 15.8 years, respectively. The Kaplan-Meier estimate for arrhythmia-free survival following the index ablation procedure was 63% for 1 year and 22% for 5 years. Performing subsequent ablation procedures (2.0 ± 0.5), the Kaplan-Meier estimate significantly improved, with 99% for 1 year and 83% for 5 years (p < 0.01). Five patients died during follow-up due to their underlying CHD condition or underwent transplantation. CONCLUSIONS: AF ablation strategies established in normal hearts can be transferred to ACHD. The treatment is safe and effective with acceptable long-term results. Varying anatomical pre-conditions and the heterogeneous population itself are challenging and contribute toward a higher reablation rate. Therefore, AF ablation in ACHD should be reserved for dedicated and highly specialized teams.
Assuntos
Fibrilação Atrial , Ablação por Cateter , Cardiopatias Congênitas/complicações , Adulto , Idoso , Fibrilação Atrial/complicações , Fibrilação Atrial/cirurgia , Ablação por Cateter/efeitos adversos , Ablação por Cateter/métodos , Ablação por Cateter/mortalidade , Intervalo Livre de Doença , Seguimentos , Humanos , Pessoa de Meia-IdadeRESUMO
BACKGROUND: An abnormal potential (retroPP) from the left posterior Purkinje network has been demonstrated during sinus rhythm (SR) in some patients with idiopathic left ventricular tachycardia (ILVT). We hypothesized that this potential can specifically be identified and be a critical substrate for ILVT. METHODS AND RESULTS: In 9 patients with ILVT and 6 control patients who underwent mapping of the left ventricle during SR using 3-dimensional electroanatomic mapping, an area with retroPP was found within the posterior Purkinje fiber network only in patients with ILVT. The earliest and latest retroPP was 185.4+/-57.4 and 465.2+/-37.3 ms after Purkinje potential; in the other patient with ILVT, an entire left ventricle mapping demonstrated a slow conduction area and passive retrograde activation along the posterior fascicle during ILVT. ILVT was noninducible in 3 patients after SR mapping. Diastolic potentials critical for ILVT during ILVT coincided with the earliest retroPP during SR in 7 patients. Mechanical termination of ILVT occurred in 5 patients. A single radiofrequency pulse was applied at the site with mechanical translation in 5 patients and the site with diastolic potential in 2 patients, and 3 radiofrequency pulses were delivered to the site with the earliest retroPP in the other 3 patients without inducible ILVT after SR mapping. No ILVT was inducible during control stimulation, and none recurred during follow-up of 9.1+/-5.1 months. CONCLUSION: In patients with ILVT, abnormal retroPP within the posterior Purkinje fiber network is a common finding. The earliest retroPP critical for ILVT substrate can be used for guiding successful ablation.
Assuntos
Mapeamento Potencial de Superfície Corporal/métodos , Bloqueio Cardíaco/diagnóstico , Ramos Subendocárdicos/fisiopatologia , Taquicardia Ventricular/diagnóstico , Taquicardia Ventricular/etiologia , Adolescente , Adulto , Ablação por Cateter , Criança , Estimulação Elétrica , Endocárdio , Seguimentos , Bloqueio Cardíaco/fisiopatologia , Bloqueio Cardíaco/terapia , Sistema de Condução Cardíaco , Humanos , Imageamento Tridimensional/métodos , Masculino , Nó Sinoatrial/fisiopatologia , Taquicardia Ventricular/fisiopatologia , Taquicardia Ventricular/terapia , Disfunção Ventricular Esquerda/diagnóstico , Disfunção Ventricular Esquerda/fisiopatologia , Disfunção Ventricular Esquerda/terapiaRESUMO
OBJECTIVES: We sought to investigate the electrocardiographic (ECG) characteristics for guiding catheter ablation in patients with repetitive monomorphic ventricular tachycardia (RMVT) originating from the aortic sinus cusp (ASC). BACKGROUND: Repetitive monomorphic ventricular tachycardia can originate from the right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) and ASC in patients with a left bundle branch block (LBBB) morphology and an inferior axis. METHODS: Activation mapping and ECG analysis was performed in 15 patients with RMVT or ventricular premature contractions. The left main coronary artery (LMCA) was cannulated as a marker and for protection during radiofrequency delivery if RMVT originated from the left coronary ASC. RESULTS: During arrhythmia, the earliest ventricular activation was recorded from the superior septal RVOT in eight patients (group 1) and from the ASC in the remaining seven patients (group 2). The indexes of R-wave duration and R/S-wave amplitude were significantly lower in group 1 than in group 2 (31.8+/-13.5% vs. 58.3+/-12.1% and 14.9+/-9.9% vs. 56.7+/-29.5%, respectively; p < 0.01), despite similar QRS morphology. In five patients from group 2, RMVT originated from the left ASC, with a mean distance of 12.2+/-3.2 mm (range 7.3 to 16.1) below the ostium of the LMCA. In the remaining two patients, the RMVT origin was in the right ASC. All arrhythmias were successfully abolished. None of the patients had recurrence or complications during 9+/-3 months of follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: On the surface ECG, RMVT from the ASC has a QRS morphology similar to that of RVOT arrhythmias. The indexes of R-wave duration and R/S-wave amplitude can be used to differentiate between the two origins. Radiofrequency ablation can be safely performed within the left ASC with a catheter cannulating the LMCA.
Assuntos
Taquicardia Ventricular/complicações , Adolescente , Adulto , Idoso , Mapeamento Potencial de Superfície Corporal , Bloqueio de Ramo/complicações , Bloqueio de Ramo/cirurgia , Ablação por Cateter , Criança , Feminino , Seguimentos , Humanos , Londres , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Seio Aórtico/fisiopatologia , Seio Aórtico/cirurgia , Taquicardia Ventricular/cirurgiaRESUMO
The role of surgery and radiofrequency current ablation for the treatment of tachycardias in patients with congenital heart disease The use of radiofrequency current application as a treatment strategy has stimulated a revolution in our understanding of tachycardia mechanisms. The extension of its use to patients with congenital heart defects and tachyarrhythmias has opened the door to new treatments with known success rates and known risks for mortality and morbidity. Antiarrhythmic surgery aims to dissect or excavate a responsible substrate and is especially worth considering if cardiac surgery is being undertaken for other reasons. With suitable surgical skill and interest, and with strong electrophysiologic support, high success rates have been documented. Antiarrhythmic surgical incisions have the advantage of being visually controllable regarding the extent and location of damage to myocardial tissue. In other situations, radiofrequency current ablation is preferred because of its less-invasive character, its use of local anesthesia, and the avoidance of surgical trauma. Both surgery and catheter ablation require precise clarification of the tachycardia mechanism and precise localization of the underlying substrate. The importation of such techniques into the realm of open chest surgery would be difficult in light of the need for multiple intracardiac catheters and repeated fluoroscopically guided catheter positioning. Electrophysiologic studies performed during the antiarrhythmic surgical procedure cannot provide complete information, and their use is thus restricted to the arrhythmogenic myocardial target only [32,45]. In contrast, catheter-mediated electrophysiologic studies offer the option of exact diagnosis, precise substrate localization, and interventional treatment in a single session. Moreover, validation of the linear lesion's completeness has become a reliable predictor for mid- and long-term success in avoiding recurrences. As a result, the application of catheter-mediated ablation has exploded within the past 15 years. Antiarrhythmic surgery has survived as a discipline in a decreasing number of experienced hands [43,44]. As a result of recent experiences and modern technology, success rates above 90% [74-76, 81,88] for the interventional treatment of congenital tachycardias have become comparable to those reported in patients with "normal" hearts. For acquired tachycardias, acute success rates today range about 80% at the atrial level. The rate of recurrence is still relatively high at about 10-25% [73,76,77,79,91,96,102]. Further improvements are being pursued. Data on the treatment of acquired tachycardias at the ventricular level is largely anecdotal. Good early success rates are combined with a tendency to recurrence in longer-term follow-up [50,76,103-108]. Some of the late VT ablation recurrences may be explained by the fact that fibrotic, scarred, and hypertrophic myocardial tissue at the targeted site often prevents effective radiofrequency current application and lesion generation. In order to improve RF lesion depth and continuity, newly designed technologies for radiofrequency current ("cooled tip electrode", Cordis Webster, Baldwin Park, CA), and alternative energy sources (cryo-ablation, micro-wave, or ultrasound) are being readied for introduction in the very near future. For patients suffering from recurrent tachycardias and having other reasons for open-heart surgery, a hybrid concept can be created, utilizing modern 3-D electro-anatomical reconstruction as a basis for an electrophysiologically informed surgical procedure. Following such a concept, a hemodynamic catheterization can be combined with an electrophysiologic study to define critical myocardial zones for induced macro-re-entry tachycardias, or of those zones expected to play an arrhythmogenic role in the future. With such information, surgical incisions for cardiac access and repair can be planned and performed. The role of surgery in antiarrhythmic treatment can become preventive. Myocardial tissue is incised for cannulation and repair in a way that can reduce the chance of later scar-associated tachycardias [109]. The extension of surgical cuts to physiologic barriers of electrical conduction is a major strategy for the primary prevention of postsurgical or incisional arrhythmias. In addition, the simultaneous treatment at heart surgery of already existing tachycardias can be offered within the same session as a secondary preventive concept. Despite the immense growth of knowledge and experience in recent years, there is still a need for more knowledge about the factors causing arrhythmogenesis and their interactions. Prospective and randomized studies are needed to show the most effective strategies to prevent arrhythmia-mediated death. The future of antiarrhythmic treatment will less be directed by the limitations of current interventional tools, which will be improved, and more by an evolutionary process in philosophy regarding the understanding of arrhythmogenesis in these patients as the basis for new concepts of arrhythmia prevention and treatment.
Assuntos
Procedimentos Cirúrgicos Cardíacos/métodos , Ablação por Cateter/métodos , Cardiopatias Congênitas/terapia , Taquicardia/cirurgia , Cardiopatias Congênitas/complicações , Humanos , Taquicardia/classificação , Taquicardia/complicaçõesRESUMO
In principle tachycardias during childhood do not differ from those in adulthood but they present with a significant age-dependency. Additionally the clinical presentation has a broad spectrum related to the different ages, from the neonatal period until adolescence. If congenital heart disease is present the hemodynamic compromise may be accentuated. This paper describes the diagnostic and therapeutic approaches to pediatric tachycardias with focus upon the age dependent aspects and the presense of congenital heart disease, either native or postoperative.
Assuntos
Antiarrítmicos/uso terapêutico , Cardiotônicos/uso terapêutico , Cardiopatias Congênitas/diagnóstico , Cardiopatias Congênitas/terapia , Taquicardia Ventricular/diagnóstico , Taquicardia Ventricular/terapia , Adolescente , Pré-Escolar , Medicina Baseada em Evidências , Feminino , Cardiopatias Congênitas/complicações , Humanos , Lactente , Recém-Nascido , Masculino , Taquicardia Ventricular/etiologia , Adulto JovemRESUMO
In children and adolescents with congenital heart disease (CHD) tachyarrhythmia occurs more frequently compared to patients with otherwise normal hearts. Arrhythmia substrates may be a natural part of certain congenital cardiac malformations or may result from long lasting myocardial deterioration as a result of CHD and/or cardiac surgery. Treatment of tachycardia is more frequently required even in early childhood, as the impact on quality of life, morbidity and mortality is higher due to an often reduced hemodynamic tolerance. Over the past 20 years interventional electrophysiology has been established as the therapy of choice for the majority of chronic or chronically recurrent tachycardia even in children with CHD. The success and risks of treatment are predominantly influenced by the individual expression of the cardiac anomaly and, if surgery has been performed, the highly variant postoperative anatomy. Introduction of 3D electroanatomical mapping systems together with modern cardiac imaging tools have significantly contributed to an improved understanding, particularly in postoperative tachycardia. Despite such progress, success rates are lower and recurrences are more frequent compared to patients without CHD. Complex and often multiple tachycardia courses account for the still limited performance as well as a frequently insufficient lesion formation with the use of radiofrequency current in the hypertrophic and fibrotic myocardium. Electrophysiology in children and adolescents, particularly if CHD is present, represents a highly specialized discipline requiring a high expertise in CHD, CHD surgery and cardiac electrophysiology and is ideally imbedded within an interdisciplinary cardiological and cardiosurgical setting.