Abstract
Background
Ablation of atrial arrhythmias in patients with congenital heart disease (CHD) has markedly improved with advanced mapping systems. However, recurrence rates remain high. The linear ablation strategy is not uncommonly practiced necessitating prolonged ablation times. We report the outcomes of adopting a strategy of minimal, cluster delivery of radiofrequency (RF) energy at critical substrates identified by ultrahigh-definition mapping for atrial arrhythmias in patients with CHD.
Methods
Non-cavotricuspid isthmus (non-CTI) atrial tachycardias were ablated with a targeted ablation cluster technique (TACT) using an ultrahigh-density mapping system combined with multielectrode monitoring and endpoint determination in preference to linear ablation. The arrhythmia substrates, RF times, and acute- and medium-term success rates were studied.
Results
Fifty-eight tachycardias were mapped and ablated in 42 procedures: 34 non-CTIs and 24 CTIs. A targeted ablation cluster was performed for non-CTI tachycardias, with a median ablation time of 3.1 min. In 53% of non-CTI tachycardias, arrhythmia termination was achieved with ≤2 RF applications. After a mean follow-up of 23.6 months, 27 (80%) patients were free of recurrent atrial arrhythmias. One of 34 targeted non-CTI tachycardia recurred, with a final success rate of 91%. Linear ablation was performed for CTI flutters with a median ablation time of 6.8 min (vs. non-CTIs, p = .006). Three of 21 tachycardias recurred due to reconnection of the ablation line but the final success rate was 100%.
Conclusions
The TACT approach for non-CTI atrial arrhythmias in congenital patients as guided by the ultrahigh-density mapping is an effective method with short ablation times and excellent medium-term outcomes.
ETHICS STATEMENT
The authors attest they are in compliance with human studies committees and animal welfare regulations of the authors’ institutions and Food and Drug Administration guidelines, including patient consent where appropriate.
Source: Wiley Online Library