Agreement between gadolinium-enhanced cardiac magnetic resonance and electro-anatomical maps in patients with non-ischaemic dilated cardiomyopathy and ventricular arrhythmias

Epicardial ventricular arrhythmia ablation: a clinical consensus statement of the European Heart Rhythm Association of the European Society of Cardiology and the Heart Rhythm Society, the Asian Pacific Heart Rhythm Society, the Latin American Heart Rhythm Society, and the Canadian Heart Rhythm Society

Epicardial access during electrophysiology procedures offers valuable insights and therapeutic options for managing ventricular arrhythmias (VAs). The current clinical consensus statement on epicardial VA ablation aims to provide clinicians with a comprehensive understanding of this complex clinical scenario. It offers structured advice and a systematic approach to patient management. Specific sections are devoted to anatomical considerations, criteria for epicardial access and mapping evaluation, methods of epicardial access, management of complications, training, and institutional requirements for epicardial VA ablation. This consensus is a joint effort of collaborating cardiac electrophysiology societies, including the European Heart Rhythm Association, the Heart Rhythm Society, the Asia Pacific Heart Rhythm Society, the Latin American Heart Rhythm Society, and the Canadian Heart Rhythm Society.

Pre- and post-procedural cardiac imaging (computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging) in electrophysiology: a clinical consensus statement of the European Heart Rhythm Association and European Association of Cardiovascular Imaging of the European Society of Cardiology

Imaging using cardiac computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance (MR) imaging has become an important option for anatomic and substrate delineation in complex atrial fibrillation (AF) and ventricular tachycardia (VT) ablation procedures. Computed tomography more common than MR has been used to detect procedure-associated complications such as oesophageal, cerebral, and vascular injury. This clinical consensus statement summarizes the current knowledge of CT and MR to facilitate electrophysiological procedures, the current value of real-time integration of imaging-derived anatomy, and substrate information during the procedure and the current role of CT and MR in diagnosing relevant procedure-related complications. Practical advice on potential advantages of one imaging modality over the other is discussed for patients with implanted cardiac rhythm devices as well as for planning, intraprocedural integration, and post-interventional management in AF and VT ablation patients. Establishing a team of electrophysiologists and cardiac imaging specialists working on specific details of imaging for complex ablation procedures is key. Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) can safely be performed in most patients with implanted active cardiac devices. Standard procedures for pre- and post-scanning management of the device and potential CMR-associated device malfunctions need to be in place. In VT patients, imaging-specifically MR-may help to determine scar location and mural distribution in patients with ischaemic and non-ischaemic cardiomyopathy beyond evaluating the underlying structural heart disease. Future directions in imaging may include the ability to register multiple imaging modalities and novel high-resolution modalities, but also refinements of imaging-guided ablation strategies are expected.

Twenty-five years of catheter ablation of ventricular tachycardia: a look back and a look forward

This article will discuss the past, present, and future of ventricular tachycardia ablation and the continuing contribution of the Europace journal as the platform for publication of milestone research papers in this field of ventricular tachycardia ablation.

Accuracy of standard bipolar amplitude voltage thresholds to identify late potential channels in ventricular tachycardia ablation

BACKGROUND

Ventricular tachycardia (VT) is caused by the presence of a slow conduction channel (CC) of border zone (BZ) tissue inside the scar-core tissue. Electroanatomic mapping can depict this tissue by voltage mapping. Areas of slow conduction can be detected as late potentials (LPs) and their abolition is the most accepted ablation endpoint. In the current guidelines, bipolar voltage thresholds for BZ and core scar are 1.5 and 0.5 mV respectively. The performance of these values is controversial. The aim of the study is to analyze the diagnostic yield of current amplitude thresholds in voltage map to define VT substrate in terms of CCs of LPs. Predictors of usefulness of current thresholds will be analyzed.

METHODS

All patients with structural heart disease who underwent VT ablation in Hospital Clinic in 2016-2017 were included. Maps with delineation of CCs based on LPs were created with contact force sensor catheter. Thresholds were adjusted for every patient based on CCs. Diagnostic yield and predictors of performance of conventional thresholds were analyzed.

RESULTS

During study period, 57 consecutive patients were included (age: 60.4 ± 8.5; 50.2% ischemic cardiomyopathy, LVEF 39.8 ± 13.5%). Cutoff voltages that better identified the scar and BZ according to the LP channels were 0.32 (0.02-2 mV) and 1.84 (0.3-6 mV) respectively. Current voltage thresholds identified correctly core and BZ in 87.7% and 42.1% of the patients respectively. Accuracy was worse in non-ischemic cardiomyopathy (NICM) especially for BZ (28.6% vs 55.2%, p = 0.042).

CONCLUSIONS

Accuracy of standard voltage thresholds for scar and BZ is poor in terms of LPs detection. Diagnostic yield is worse in NICM patients specially for border zone.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Histopathology of Catheter Ablation Lesions after Ventricular Tachycardia Ablation in Patients with Nonischemic Cardiomyopathy

BACKGROUND

Late gadolinium enhanced cardiac magnetic resonance (LGE-CMR) imaging may help identify radiofrequency ablation lesions. This has been poorly described in patients with non-ischemic cardiomyopathy (NICM).

OBJECTIVES

To describe LGE-CMR characteristics of ablation lesions in patients with NICM and correlate with histopathology.

METHODS

Twenty-six patients (24 males, 38±14 ejection fraction, 61±9 age), with CMR imaging after VT ablation were included. Areas of both dark and bright core lesions correlating with prior radiofrequency ablation lesions were identified. Histology was performed on an explanted heart.

RESULTS

The mean time between the ablation procedure and the LGE-CMR study was 8[2-20] months. Twenty-three/26 patients demonstrated dark-core lesions (volume 2.16±1.8 cm^3, thickness 3.6±1.3 mm) with a transmurality of 42±16%, overlaying areas of intramural or transmural LGE. Fourteen/26 patients demonstrated bright core lesions (volume 0.8±0.6 cm3, depth 4.15±1.76 mm) with a transmurality of 34±14%, which was located in areas without underlying LGE in 11/13 patients. Both dark and bright core lesions were visualized on standard clinical LGE-CMR imaging obtained in the acute setting and chronic settings (within 3 days and up to 2090 days post ablation). Histopathologic analysis demonstrated coagulation necrosis in the area that corresponded to dark core lesions in the post ablation CMR.

CONCLUSION

Ablation lesions can be detected by LGE-CMR after VT ablation in NICM patients and have a different appearance than scar tissue. These lesions can be observed in the acute and chronic settings after ablations.

Idiopathic Premature Ventricular Contractions From the Outflow Tract Display an Underlying Substrate That Can Be Unmasked by a Type 2 Brugada Electrocardiographic Pattern at High Right Precordial Leads

Background: Patients with premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) from the right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) and apparently normal hearts, can have ST elevation similar to type 2 or type 3 Brugada pattern in the electrocardiographic (ECG) performed at a higher position. Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR), has shown conflicting data regarding existence of structural abnormalities in patients with idiopathic PVCs from the RVOT. Objective: Our aim was to evaluate the prevalence of low voltage areas (LVAs) in the RVOT of patients with PVCS from the outflow tract, and in a control group. Secondly, assess for the presence of a non-invasive ECG marker. Methods: A 56 consecutive patients, 45 with frequent PVCs (>10000/24 h) LBBB, vertical axis, negative in aVL and 11 subjects without PVCs. Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy was ruled out in all patients. An ECG was performed with V1-V2 at the level of the second intercostal space and the presence of ST-segment elevation with a Type 2 or 3 Brugada pattern (Type 2 BrP) was assessed. Bipolar voltage map of the RVOT was performed in sinus rhythm (0.5-1.5 mV color display). Areas with electrograms <1.5 mV represented the LVA. The area adjacent to the pulmonary valve usually displays voltage between 0.5 and 1.5 mV and is classified as transitional-voltage zone. Presence of LVAs outside this transitional-voltage zone were estimated. We compared two groups with and without ST-segment elevation and tested for the association between ECG pattern and LVAs. Results: None of the patients in the control group had ST-segment elevation or LVAs. In the PVC group, no patient had type 1 Brugada pattern, 29 patients (64%) had type 2 or 3 ST-segment elevation (Type 2 BrP), and 28 (62%) had LVAs outside the transitional-voltage zone. LVAs were more frequent in patients with Type 2 BrP; 93% versus 4%, p < 0.0001. The ECG pattern was associated with the presence of LVAs, OR (95% CI): 202.50 (16.92-2423), p < 0.0001. Conclusion: Low voltage areas were frequently present in the RVOT of patients with idiopathic PVCs. They were absent in controls and can be unmasked by the presence of Type 2 BrP in high right precordial leads.