[MRI-based catheter ablation : Current status and outlook]. / MRT-basierte Katheterablation : Aktueller Stand und Ausblick.

Fluoroscopy-based catheter ablation has established itself as a standard procedure for the treatment of patients with cardiac arrhythmias. However, it is subject to certain limitations with regard to the visualization of arrhythmogenic substrate and ablation lesions and is associated with radiation exposure. Within the framework of studies, initial experience with MRI-based, radiation-free electrophysiological examinations and ablations could be gained. The integration of MRI technology into electrophysiological procedures promises numerous advantages. The ability to operate in a radiation-free environment during MRI-based catheter ablation is significant and promising. Furthermore, MRI provides important procedure-relevant information in terms of visualization of individual arrhythmogenic substrate. In order to further improve immediate and long-term ablation success, especially in the context of complex arrhythmias and structural heart disease, the direct and successful integration of MRI-generated findings into the ablation process is of utmost importance. The future of MRI-based catheter ablation could thus lie in particular in the treatment of more complex cardiac arrhythmias, which require personalized therapy paths. In this respect, however, the data situation is still extremely limited. Further technical developments and larger studies are indispensable in order to gain further important insights into the feasibility, safety and success rate of MRI-based invasive electrophysiological diagnostics and therapy in comparison to conventional ablation methods.

[Treatment of premature ventricular contractions in patients with structural heart disease : Insights from imaging]. / Therapie der ventrikulären Extrasystolen bei strukturellen Herzerkrankungen : Welchen Mehrwert hat die Bildgebung?

The diagnosis of premature ventricular contractions (PVC) is presumptively based on the presence of frequent symptoms. Particularly in patients with a relatively low PVC burden, the relationship between the PVCs and an individual arrhythmia substrate can be challenging to ascertain. Late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) on cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) has been found to be beneficial in identifying the presence of potential individual arrhythmia substrates even in patients with normal left ventricular function. Consequently, CMR has been useful in risk stratification of patients with PVCs. The authors aimed to demonstrate and discuss the current role and future use of CMR in the diagnostic algorithm to guide PVC ablation.

[Coherent mapping in adults with congenital heart disease : Role of the novel coherent mapping technique for treatment of atrial tachycardia in adults with congenital heart disease]. / Coherent-Mapping bei angeborenen Herzfehlern : Stellenwert des neuen Coherent-Modules zur Behandlung von atrialen Tachykardien bei Erwachsenen mit angeborenen Herzfehlern.

A 31-year-old woman with a surgically corrected double outlet right ventricle and recurrent narrow QRS complex tachycardia was admitted to our hospital. The patient was scheduled for electrophysiology study. Coherent mapping identified the critical isthmus as a slow conduction area within posterolateral intercaval scar tissue. A continuous line of ablation was applied resulting in termination of the atrial tachycardia at the site of the critical isthmus from coherent mapping. Thus, coherent mapping facilitates complex ablation procedures and improves efficacy and efficiency.