Radiofrequency catheter ablation of frequent premature ventricular contractions using ARRAY multi-electrode balloon catheter.

BACKGROUND: The noncontact mapping system facilitates the mapping of premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) and ventricular tachycardia (VT) using a 64-electrode expandable balloon catheter (ARRAY, St. Jude Medical). The aim of this study is to analyze the results and follow-up of the PVC ablation using this system. METHODS AND RESULTS: Prospective and consecutive patients with frequent PVCs (6,000 or more) or monomorphic VT, suspected to be originated on the right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT), were included. The balloon catheter was positioned in the RVOT. Eighteen patients, 9 women, mean age 48 years (youngest/oldest 19-65) were included. Sixteen patients presented no structural heart disease. The origin of the arrhythmia was RVOT (n = 15), right ventricular inflow tract (n = 1), and left ventricular outflow tract (n = 2). Acute success was achieved in 15 patients; in 2 patients radiofrequency was not applied due to security reasons (origin site close to left coronary artery origin). The mean follow-up was 15 months (min. 4, max. 26); 13 patients presented abolition of the arrhythmia without drugs and 1 patient required antiarrhythmic drugs for arrhythmia control (previously ineffective). As an only complication, a femoral artery-venous fistula was observed. CONCLUSIONS: The noncontact mapping system using a multielectrode balloon allows right ventricular arrhythmia treatment with a high rate of efficacy and safety.

Catheter ablation in Patients with Electrical storm: The Calm after the Tempest / Ablación por catéter en pacientes con tormenta eléctrica: La calma tras la tempestad

Background: Catheter ablation (CA) has been shown to be effective in patients with recurrent ventricular tachycardia (VT); how-ever, its role in patients with electrical storm (ES) has not been studied in randomized trials. Objective: The aim of this study was to analyze ES cases treated with CA. Methods: This was a retrospective analysis of patients treated with CA for ES due to sustained monomorphic VT (SMVT). Procedure success was defined as lack of inducible VT at the end of ablation, partial success as the induction of non-clinical VT and failure as inducible clinical V T. Results:Sixteen procedures were performed in 14 patients: 10 successful, 3 partially successful and 3 failures. All patients were free from ventricular arrhythmia immediately after ablation. Ten patients (71.4%) were free from VT and 86.7% free from ES [8 (3-30)-month follow-up]. Five patients (35.7%) died from causes unrelated to arrhythmia. Conclusions: Catheter ablation is associated with acute suppression of VT in all patients with ES due to SMVT and with a recurrence-free outcome in most of them.

Introducción: La ablación por catéter (AC) ha demostrado que es beneficiosa en pacientes con taquicardia ventricular (TV) recur­rente, pero su rol en pacientes con tormenta eléctrica (TE) no se ha estudiado en ensayos aleatorizados. Objetivo: Analizar los casos de TE tratados con AC. Material y métodos: Análisis retrospectivo de pacientes con TE debida a TV monomorfa sostenida (TVMS) tratados mediante AC. Se definió éxito del procedimiento a la ausencia de TV inducible al final de la ablación, éxito parcial a la inducción de TV no clínica y no éxito a la inducibilidad de la TV clínica. Resultados:Se realizaron 16 procedimientos en 14 pacientes: 10 exitosos, 3 éxito parcial y 3 no exitosos. Todos los pacientes evolucionaron sin arritmia ventricular inmediatamente posablación. Diez pacientes (71,4%) evolucionaron sin TV y el 86,7% sin TE [seguimiento 8 (3-30) meses]. Cinco pacientes (35,7%) murieron de causa no arrítmica. Conclusiones: La AC se asocia con una supresión aguda de la TV en todos los pacientes con TE debida a TVMS y con una evolución sin recurrencia en la mayoría de ellos.

Eficacia y seguridad de la ablación por radiofrecuencia en pacientes con fibrilación auricular / Efficacy and Safety of Radiofrequency Catheter Ablation in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation

Introducción La ablación por radiofrecuencia de la fibrilación auricular es más eficaz que las drogas antiarrítmicas en el control de los síntomas, particularmente cuando la arritmia es paroxística. Consiste en un procedimiento laborioso y complejo no exento de complicaciones. Objetivo Evaluar los resultados de la ablación por radiofrecuencia en una población seleccionada consecutiva con fibrilación auricular recurrente y refractaria a drogas antiarrítmicas. Material y métodos Se evaluaron 111 pacientes, 90 hombres, con fibrilación auricular paroxística (n = 75) o persistente (n = 36), refractaria a 2 (1,5-3) drogas antiarrítmicas que fueron seleccionados para la ablación por radiofrecuencia. Todos los procedimientos se realizaron siguiendo una metodología uniforme. La edad fue de 56 ± 11 años, con un diámetro de la aurícula izquierda de 41,5 (39-45) mm y fracción de eyección del ventrículo izquierdo del 60% (56,5-66,5%). Se realizaron 126 procedimientos de ablación por radiofrecuencia, incluyendo 15 segundos procedimientos. Se aislaron 476/489 (97,3%) venas pulmonares. Veinticinco pacientes (22,5%) presentaron actividad ectópica espontánea de las venas pulmonares. Se presentaron complicaciones no mortales en 7/126 procedimientos (5,5%), que se resolvieron satisfactoriamente. Tres pacientes presentaron complicaciones vasculares y se observó una complicación anestésica, un taponamiento cardíaco subagudo, una pericarditis sin derrame y una estenosis de vena pulmonar. Luego de un seguimiento de 22 (13-35) meses, 83 pacientes (74,8%) se mantuvieron en ritmo sinusal sin drogas antiarrítmicas. Los 28 pacientes restantes (25,2%) presentaron recurrencias. Cuatro de ellos respondieron satisfactoriamente a estas drogas (previamente ineficaces), ocho tuvieron fibrilación auricular a pesar de recibir drogas antiarrítmicas y 1 paciente se encuentra en plan de reablación. A los 15 pacientes restantes se les realizó un segundo procedimiento de ablación. Diez de ellos se mantienen sin recurrencias luego de 12 (9-31) meses. Conclusión En esta serie consecutiva de pacientes con fibrilación auricular refractaria a drogas antiarrítmicas, la ablación por radiofrecuencia mostró una tasa de éxito adecuada y un nivel bajo de complicaciones.

Introduction Radiofrequency catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation is more effective than antiarrhythmic drugs for symptoms control, particularly in paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. The procedure is laborious and complex and not exempt from complications. Objective The aim of this study was to evaluate the outcomes of radiofrequency catheter ablation in a consecutive and selected population with recurrent atrial fibrillation refractory to antiarrhythmic drugs. Methods One-hundred and eleven patients (90 men) with paroxysmal (n = 75) or persistent (n = 36) atrial fibrillation, refractory to 2 (1.5-3) antiarrhythmic drugs were selected for radiofrequency catheter ablation. All the procedures were performed following a uniform methodology. Mean age was 56 ± 11 years, left atrial diameter was 41.5 (39-45) mm and left ventricular ejection fraction was 60% (56.5-66.5%). A total of 126 radiofrequency catheter ablation procedures were performed, including 15 second procedures, and 476/489 (97.3%) pulmonary veins were isolated. Twenty-five patients (22.5%) presented spontaneous ectopic activity in the pulmonary veins. Nonfatal complications occurred in 7/126 procedures (5.5%) and were satisfactorily resolved. Three patients presented vascular complications; other complications included one related to anesthesia, one subacute cardiac tamponade, one pericarditis without effusion and one pulmonary vein stenosis. After 22-month follow-up (13-35 months), 83 patients (74.8%) remained in sinus rhythm without antiarrhythmic drugs. The remaining 28 patients (25.2%) presented recurrences. Four of these patients had a favorable response to these previously inefficient drugs, 8 had atrial fibrillation in spite of receiving antiarrhythmic drugs and 1 patient will undergo a new ablation. The remaining 15 patients underwent a second ablation procedure; 10 of them are free of recurrences after 12 (9-31) months. Conclusion In this consecutive series of patients with atrial fibrillation refractory to drugs, radiofrequency catheter ablation showed an adequate rate of success and low level of complications.

Eficacia y seguridad de la ablación por radiofrecuencia en pacientes con fibrilación auricular / Efficacy and Safety of Radiofrequency Catheter Ablation in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation

Introducción La ablación por radiofrecuencia de la fibrilación auricular es más eficaz que las drogas antiarrítmicas en el control de los síntomas, particularmente cuando la arritmia es paroxística. Consiste en un procedimiento laborioso y complejo no exento de complicaciones. Objetivo Evaluar los resultados de la ablación por radiofrecuencia en una población seleccionada consecutiva con fibrilación auricular recurrente y refractaria a drogas antiarrítmicas. Material y métodos Se evaluaron 111 pacientes, 90 hombres, con fibrilación auricular paroxística (n = 75) o persistente (n = 36), refractaria a 2 (1,5-3) drogas antiarrítmicas que fueron seleccionados para la ablación por radiofrecuencia. Todos los procedimientos se realizaron siguiendo una metodología uniforme. La edad fue de 56 ± 11 años, con un diámetro de la aurícula izquierda de 41,5 (39-45) mm y fracción de eyección del ventrículo izquierdo del 60% (56,5-66,5%). Se realizaron 126 procedimientos de ablación por radiofrecuencia, incluyendo 15 segundos procedimientos. Se aislaron 476/489 (97,3%) venas pulmonares. Veinticinco pacientes (22,5%) presentaron actividad ectópica espontánea de las venas pulmonares. Se presentaron complicaciones no mortales en 7/126 procedimientos (5,5%), que se resolvieron satisfactoriamente. Tres pacientes presentaron complicaciones vasculares y se observó una complicación anestésica, un taponamiento cardíaco subagudo, una pericarditis sin derrame y una estenosis de vena pulmonar. Luego de un seguimiento de 22 (13-35) meses, 83 pacientes (74,8%) se mantuvieron en ritmo sinusal sin drogas antiarrítmicas. Los 28 pacientes restantes (25,2%) presentaron recurrencias. Cuatro de ellos respondieron satisfactoriamente a estas drogas (previamente ineficaces), ocho tuvieron fibrilación auricular a pesar de recibir drogas antiarrítmicas y 1 paciente se encuentra en plan de reablación. A los 15 pacientes restantes se les realizó un segundo procedimiento de ablación. Diez de ellos se mantienen sin recurrencias luego de 12 (9-31) meses. Conclusión En esta serie consecutiva de pacientes con fibrilación auricular refractaria a drogas antiarrítmicas, la ablación por radiofrecuencia mostró una tasa de éxito adecuada y un nivel bajo de complicaciones.(AU)

Introduction Radiofrequency catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation is more effective than antiarrhythmic drugs for symptoms control, particularly in paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. The procedure is laborious and complex and not exempt from complications. Objective The aim of this study was to evaluate the outcomes of radiofrequency catheter ablation in a consecutive and selected population with recurrent atrial fibrillation refractory to antiarrhythmic drugs. Methods One-hundred and eleven patients (90 men) with paroxysmal (n = 75) or persistent (n = 36) atrial fibrillation, refractory to 2 (1.5-3) antiarrhythmic drugs were selected for radiofrequency catheter ablation. All the procedures were performed following a uniform methodology. Mean age was 56 ± 11 years, left atrial diameter was 41.5 (39-45) mm and left ventricular ejection fraction was 60% (56.5-66.5%). A total of 126 radiofrequency catheter ablation procedures were performed, including 15 second procedures, and 476/489 (97.3%) pulmonary veins were isolated. Twenty-five patients (22.5%) presented spontaneous ectopic activity in the pulmonary veins. Nonfatal complications occurred in 7/126 procedures (5.5%) and were satisfactorily resolved. Three patients presented vascular complications; other complications included one related to anesthesia, one subacute cardiac tamponade, one pericarditis without effusion and one pulmonary vein stenosis. After 22-month follow-up (13-35 months), 83 patients (74.8%) remained in sinus rhythm without antiarrhythmic drugs. The remaining 28 patients (25.2%) presented recurrences. Four of these patients had a favorable response to these previously inefficient drugs, 8 had atrial fibrillation in spite of receiving antiarrhythmic drugs and 1 patient will undergo a new ablation. The remaining 15 patients underwent a second ablation procedure; 10 of them are free of recurrences after 12 (9-31) months. Conclusion In this consecutive series of patients with atrial fibrillation refractory to drugs, radiofrequency catheter ablation showed an adequate rate of success and low level of complications.(AU)

Single oral flecainide dose to unmask type 1 Brugada syndrome electrocardiographic pattern.

BACKGROUND: Brugada syndrome (BrS) includes a group of patients with a typical pattern of ST segment elevation in right precordial leads who are at risk for sudden cardiac death. The electrocardiogram pattern may be intermittent and unmasked by sodium channel blockers. The main objective of this study is to describe a serie of consecutive patients in whom oral administration of flecainide was used to unmask BrS type I electrocardiographic pattern. METHODS: We prospectively studied 14 symptomatic (palpitations/syncope) patients referred to our laboratory presenting a suggestive but not diagnostic Brugada ECG or family history of sudden death. Single oral dose of flecainide 400 mg was administered. Resting 12-lead ECG with upper and standard right precordial leads were performed after flecainide administration at 15, 30, 60 and 90 min and hourly until ECG became normal. RESULTS: Median age was 37.5 years (range = 22-50). None of them had structural heart disease. In 7 patients (50%) the typical coved-type ECG pattern of BrS was unmasked. PR interval, QRS duration and QTc median difference after-before test was 20 msec (min-max = -17-+57), 21 ms (min-max = 0 to +59) and 20 ms (min-max = -11-+77), respectively. There were no episodes of AV block, atrial or ventricular tachyarrhythmia. CONCLUSIONS: In our experience we found that oral administration of flecainide in a single dose of 400 mg is useful to unmask type 1 Brugada electrocardiographic pattern.

Síncope y bloqueo de rama. Rendimiento del uso escalonado del estudio electrofisiológico y de la monitorización electrocardiográfica prolongada / Syncope and bundle branch block. Diagnostic yield of a stepped use of electrophysiology study and implantable loop recorders

Introducción y objetivos. El objetivo del estudio es evaluar la utilidad de un protocolo diagnóstico escalonado mediante estudio electrofisiológico (EEF) y registrador de eventos implantable (REI) en pacientes con síncope y bloqueo de rama (BR). Métodos. Se realizó un EEF con provocación farmacológica con procainamida en 85 pacientes consecutivos remitidos por síncope y BR tras una evaluación inicial no diagnóstica. En aquellos sin indicación de desfibrilador implantable, se implantó un REI. Se realizó seguimiento hasta el diagnóstico o el agotamiento de la batería del dispositivo. Resultados. El EEF fue diagnóstico en 36 pacientes (42%); el mecanismo más frecuente fue el bloqueo auriculoventricular (BAV) paroxístico (n=27), seguido por la taquicardia ventricular (TV) (n=6). Todos los pacientes con TV tuvieron cardiopatía estructural y mayor prevalencia de BR izquierda. Se implantó un REI a 38 pacientes, y se alcanzó un diagnóstico en 13 (34%); el BAV paroxístico fue el más frecuente (n=10). La mediana de seguimiento hasta el diagnóstico de BAV paroxístico mediante el REI fue 97 días (intervalo intercuartilo, 60-117 días). El BAV paroxístico fue más frecuente en los pacientes con BR derecha y PR prolongado y/o desviación del eje. No se observaron TV o muertes arrítmicas durante el seguimiento. Conclusiones. En pacientes con síncope y BR, la etiología principal está representada por el BAV paroxístico, seguido por la TV. El uso escalonado del EEF y del REI en los casos negativos permite alcanzar un rendimiento diagnóstico alto y con seguridad, dado que la TV suele identificarse durante el EEF(AU)

Introduction and objectives: The objective of this study was to determine the diagnostic yield of a stepped protocol involving an electrophysiologic study (EPS) and implantable loop recorders (ILR) in patients with syncope and bundle branch block (BBB). Methods: Eighty-five consecutive patients referred for syncope and BBB after initial non-diagnostic assessment underwent EPS including a pharmacological challenge with procainamide. Those patients without indication for defibrillator implantation received ILRs. Follow-up continued until diagnosis or end of battery life. Results: The EPS was diagnostic in 36 patients (42%). The most frequent diagnoses were paroxysmal atrioventricular block (AVB) (n = 27), followed by ventricular tachycardia (VT) (n = 6). All patients with VT had structural heart disease; left BBB was more prevalent in this group. Thirty-eight patients received ILRs and diagnosis was achieved in 13 (34%) of them; paroxysmal AVB (n = 10) was the most frequent diagnosis. Median follow-up to diagnosis of paroxysmal AVB was 97 days (interquartile range 60-117 days). Paroxysmal AVB was more frequent in patients with right BBB and prolonged PR interval and/or axis deviation. We found no occurrence of VT or arrhythmic death during follow-up. Conclusions: The most common etiology of syncope in patients with BBB was paroxysmal AVB, followed by VT. The stepped use of EPS and ILR in negative patients enables us to safely achieve a high diagnostic yield, given that VT is usually diagnosed during EPS(AU)

Syncope and bundle branch block. Diagnostic yield of a stepped use of electrophysiology study and implantable loop recorders.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to determine the diagnostic yield of a stepped protocol involving an electrophysiologic study (EPS) and implantable loop recorders (ILR) in patients with syncope and bundle branch block (BBB). METHODS: Eighty-five consecutive patients referred for syncope and BBB after initial non-diagnostic assessment underwent EPS including a pharmacological challenge with procainamide. Those patients without indication for defibrillator implantation received ILRs. Follow-up continued until diagnosis or end of battery life. RESULTS: The EPS was diagnostic in 36 patients (42%). The most frequent diagnoses were paroxysmal atrioventricular block (AVB) (n=27), followed by ventricular tachycardia (VT) (n=6). All patients with VT had structural heart disease; left BBB was more prevalent in this group. Thirty-eight patients received ILRs and diagnosis was achieved in 13 (34%) of them; paroxysmal AVB (n=10) was the most frequent diagnosis. Median follow-up to diagnosis of paroxysmal AVB was 97 days (interquartile range 60-117 days). Paroxysmal AVB was more frequent in patients with right BBB and prolonged PR interval and/or axis deviation. We found no occurrence of VT or arrhythmic death during follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: The most common etiology of syncope in patients with BBB was paroxysmal AVB, followed by VT. The stepped use of EPS and ILR in negative patients enables us to safely achieve a high diagnostic yield, given that VT is usually diagnosed during EPS.