Usefulness of ultra-high resolution mapping for detecting epicardial atrial activation during mitral isthmus ablation

Epicardial bridge via the coronary sinus musculatures revealed by ultra-high-definition mapping

Mapping and ablation of perimitral flutter, a macro-reentrant tachycardia, can be sometimes challenging. We describe a case of perimitral atrial flutter following the pulmonary vein isolation in which mitral isthmus ablation failed to terminate the arrhythmia due to epicardial-endocardial breakthrough via the muscle fibers of coronary sinus. Ultra-high-definition mapping system was utilized to locate the epicardial bridge, and spot ablation of the lesion subsequently terminated the arrhythmia.

Characteristics of Marshall bundle-related atrial tachycardias using an ultrahigh-resolution mapping system

PURPOSE

Marshall bundle (MB)-related atrial tachycardias (ATs) have already been described; however, their characteristics using an ultrahigh-resolution mapping system are not yet well known. The purpose of this study was to clarify the characteristics of MB-related ATs with ultrahigh-resolution mapping.

METHODS

In 28 patients who underwent an electrophysiological study for ATs using an ultrahigh-resolution mapping system, precise circuits of 37 ATs were detected. Among those ATs, five were diagnosed as MB-related ATs that had epicardial connections among the reentrant circuits (mean age 76.6 ± 3.7 years, one male patient). We analyzed the characteristics of those MB-related ATs with ultrahigh-resolution mapping.

RESULTS

The mean cycle length was 260 ± 60 ms, and the total acquired electrograms were 12,962 ± 2616 points. Two ATs were perimitral ATs, two rotated around the left pulmonary vein (PV), and one rotated around the left inferior PV. All ATs had a centrifugal activation pattern: 5 o'clock on the mitral annulus in four ATs and the upper ridge in one. Tiny potentials, which indicated epicardial potentials covering the cycle length, were detected in four of five ATs. The local activation times covered over 95% of the tachycardia cycle length on the endocardial side only in all ATs. All ATs were terminated during a radiofrequency ablation from the endocardial side of the Marshall bundle.

CONCLUSIONS

The ultrahigh-resolution mapping system demonstrated an activation map of MB-related ATs with a centrifugal pattern. Macroreentrant tachycardias with a centrifugal activation pattern should be considered as possible MB-related ATs.