Slow-pathway visualization by using voltage-time relationship: A novel technique for identification and fluoroless ablation of atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia.

BACKGROUND: Atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia (AVNRT) is treatable by catheter ablation. Advances in mapping-system technology permit fluoroless workflow during ablations. As national practice trends toward fluoroless approaches, easily obtained, reproducible methods of slow-pathway identification, and ablation become increasingly important. We present a novel method of slow-pathway identification and initial ablation results from this method. METHODS AND RESULTS: We examined AVNRT ablations performed at our institution over a 12-month period. In these cases, the site of the slow pathway was predicted by latest activation in the inferior triangle of Koch during sinus rhythm. Ablation was performed in this region. Proximity of the predicted site to the successful ablation location, complication rates, and patient outcomes were recorded. Junctional rhythm was seen in 40/41 ablations (98%) at the predicted site (mean, 1.3 lesions and median, 1 lesion per case). One lesion was defined as 5 mm of ablation. The initial ablation was successful in 39/41 cases (95%); in two cases, greater or equal to 2 echo beats were detected after the initial ablation, necessitating further lesion expansion. In 8/41 cases (20%), greater than one lesion was placed during initial ablation before attempted reinduction. Complications included one transient heart block and one transient PR prolongation. During follow-up (median, day 51), one patient had lower-extremity deep-vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolus, and one had a lower-extremity superficial venous thrombosis. There was one tachycardia recurrence, which prompted a redo ablation. CONCLUSIONS: Mapping-system detection of late-activation, low-amplitude voltage during sinus rhythm provides an objective, and fluoroless means of identifying the slow pathway in typical AVNRT.

Incidence, Predictors, and Significance of Ventricular Arrhythmias in Patients With Continuous-Flow Left Ventricular Assist Devices: A 15-Year Institutional Experience.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the incidence, predictors, and associated mortality of pre-implantation, early, and late ventricular arrhythmias (VAs) in patients receiving continuous-flow left ventricular assist devices (CFLVADs). BACKGROUND: VAs are common both pre- and post-implantation of left ventricular assist devices. Limited data exist on their prognostic impact in contemporary CFLVADs. METHODS: A retrospective review was performed to identify patients who underwent CFLVAD implantation between 2000 and 2015 with 2 years of follow-up. All VAs, defined as ventricular fibrillation, ventricular tachycardia lasting >30 s, or a ventricular rhythm requiring defibrillation, were analyzed. VAs occurring within 30 days of implantation were defined as early. Recorded outcomes included death and receipt of cardiac transplant. RESULTS: A total of 517 patients were included for analysis. Early VAs were associated with a significant reduction in survival (hazard ratio: 1.83; 95% confidence interval: 1.28 to 2.61; p = 0.001) compared with patients with late or no VAs. Pre-implantation variables independently predictive of early VAs included prior cardiac surgery (odds ratio: 1.90; 95% confidence interval: 1.09 to 3.32; p = 0.023) and pre-CFLVAD ventricular tachycardia storm (odds ratio: 3.15; 95% confidence interval: 1.49 to 6.69; p = 0.003). The incidence of early VAs from 2000 to 2007 was as high as 47%, whereas the highest incidence from 2008 to 2015 was <22%. CONCLUSIONS: VAs within 30 days after CFLVAD implantation are associated with an increased risk for death. Predictors of early VAs include prior cardiac surgery and pre-CFLVAD ventricular tachycardia storm. Temporal trends have shown a decrease in VA from 2000 to 2015. Strategies to reduce arrhythmia burden shortly after CFLVAD implantation warrant further investigation.