Radiofrequency ablation of idiopathic left ventricular tachycardia with changing ECG morphology

The change of cardiac axis deviation in catheter ablation of verapamil-sensitive idiopathic left ventricular tachycardia

BACKGROUND

The underlying mechanism of verapamil-sensitive idiopathic left ventricular tachycardia (ILVT) has been postulated to be reentrant activation in the Purkinje fiber network of the left posterior fascicle or the left anterior fascicle (LAF). However, changing of cardiac axis deviation in sinus rhythm (SR) or during ILVT after radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) has been rarely analyzed.

METHODS

Of the 232 patients with sustained ILVT induced and surface electrocardiogram (ECG) in SR recorded before and after RFCA, the changes of ECG morphology in SR and during ILVT were analyzed.

RESULTS

The surface ECG in SR changed in 114 (49.1%) patients after RFCA. ILVT could still be induced in 27 (23.7%) patients. In comparison with the original ILVT, three forms of ECG morphology were observed. In eight patients, the ILVT morphology was unchanged. In the 13 patients with ILVT axis deviation conversion after ablation, the successful target was more proximal. In the six patients with ILVT morphology change but without axis deviation conversion after ablation, the successful ablation site was more distal. Among 15 patients with recurrent ILVT during follow-up, seven patients had previous axis deviation changes in SR after RFCA, the changes maintained in four patients and recovered in three patients.

CONCLUSIONS

The morphology changes on surface ECG in SR after RFCA would not be a necessary prerequisite or a good endpoint for ILVT ablation. To analyze ILVT morphology changes after ablation would help to further clarify an appropriate approach for catheter ablation of ILVT.

QRS complex axis deviation changing in catheter ablation of left fascicular ventricular tachycardia

Aims

The mechanisms of the QRS complex axis deviation changing of idiopathic left fascicular ventricular tachycardia (FVT) during or after radiofrequency catheter ablation were investigated in this study, which were still not well defined.

Methods and results

In the index procedure, FVTs characterized by right bundle branch block configuration and left-axis deviation (LAD-FVT) were ablated at the VT exit site guided by the earliest ventricular activation with fused presystolic Purkinje potential (PP) in 234 consecutive patients. A new type of FVT characterized by right-axis deviation (RAD-FVT) was identified after successful elimination of the LAD-FVT in 12 patients, including 9 patients during the index procedure and 3 patients during follow-up. The QRS duration of RAD-FVT was shorter than that of LAD-FVT (115.3 ± 15.2 vs. 125.3 ± 16.4 ms, P = 0.006). The RAD-FVTs showed an earliest ventricle activation site localized at anterior fascicle area in 11 patients and anterior-median fascicle area in 1. However, the earliest PP during the RAD-FVT was still identified within the posterior fascicular network. Elimination of the RAD-FVTs was successfully achieved by applying radiofrequency current at a more proximal site within the left posterior fascicular network guided by the earliest PP. After a mean of 1.6 ± 0.8 ablation procedures and median follow-up of 132 (range 19–216) months since the last procedure, no recurrence was observed in any patients.

Conclusion

The axis deviation changing of QRS complex in FVT may be attributed to the different exit sites of the reentry.

Idiopathic premature ventricular contractions arising from the pulmonary artery: importance of mapping in the pulmonary artery in left bundle branch block-shaped ventricular arrhythmias

A patient underwent radiofrequency (RF) catheter ablation of symptomatic idiopathic ventricular contractions (PVCs). RF energy applications at 2 sites in the right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT), where both the earliest ventricular activation and near-perfect pace mapping were obtained, did not abolish the PVC but resulted in changes in the QRS morphology of the PVC. Complete elimination of the PVC was achieved with RF energy application at a site within the pulmonary artery 13 mm above the pulmonary valve, which was greater than 20 mm away from the failed ablation sites within the RVOT.

Pleomorphic Ventricular Tachycardia: An Uncommon Presentation in Idiopathic Left Ventricular Tachycardia

Idiopathic left ventricular tachycardia (ILVT) is a distinct entity that arises in the left ventricle, may have reentrant mechanism and is verapamil-sensitive. Pleomorphism as defined by multiple ventricular tachycardia morphologies is usually associated with either coronary artery disease or cardiomyopathy but very rare in cases of ILVT. In this case report, we describe an unusual case of ILVT with two ECG morphologies of the opposite axis that were successfully eliminated with radiofrequency ablation. The successful ablation sites were closely located to each other in the left lower ventricular septum.

Prevalence and Characteristics of Idiopathic Outflow Tract Tachycardia with QRS Alteration Following Catheter Ablation Requiring Additional Radiofrequency Ablation at a Different Point in the Outflow Tract

Subtle variations in QRS morphology occurs during idiopathic outflow tract ventricular tachycardia (OTVT), but no studies have clarified the prevalence and characteristics of the OTVT with altered QRS morphology following radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFA), which then require an additional RF application at a different portion of the outflow tract to abolish OTVT. Of 202 patients with a monomorphic VT or premature ventricular contraction (PVC) originating from the outflow tract, 6 (3%) showed changes in QRS morphology in the OTVT following RFA, requiring an additional RF application to the outflow tract at a different portion. In all six patients, RFA was applied for the first or second OTVT to a right or left ventricular endocardial site, with the other site being the left sinus of Valsalva. In each patient, OTVT before or after the changes in QRS morphology had characteristic ECG findings originating from a particular portion of the outflow tract. Changes in QRS morphology consistently included an increase or decrease in R wave amplitude in all inferior leads. Detailed continuous observation of QRS morphology in OTVT, especially R wave amplitude in inferior leads, is important for identifying changes of QRS morphology during catheter ablation. Mapping and ablation at a different portion of the outflow tract is then needed for cure.

Simultaneous alterations of QRS configuration and tachycardia cycle length during radiofrequency ablation of idiopathic left ventricular tachycardia

Idiopathic left ventricular tachycardia is characterized by a QRS morphology of right bundle branch block pattern and left axis deviation. Alterations in the QRS configuration and tachycardia cycle length, as well as shifting of the earliest activation site occurred after eliminating the original tachycardia by radiofrequency current in an 18-year-old man with idiopathic left ventricular tachycardia. Activation mapping and entrainment mapping during tachycardia identified 2 putative tachycardia exits, 15 mm apart. Elimination of both tachycardias was accomplished after applying radiofrequency current to each exit separately. We proposed that the first radiofrequency application might have altered the exit site and the zone of slow conduction adjacent to the exit site, such that the ventricular tachycardia had a different QRS morphology and became slower in this patient.

Dual morphology of idiopathic ventricular tachycardia

INTRODUCTION

Idiopathic ventricular tachycardia (VT) typically has a single morphology originating either in the right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) or near the posterior fascicle of the left ventricle (LV) in most instances. We present our observations in six patients with idiopathic VT in whom two morphologies were present.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Of 55 patients with idiopathic VT who underwent radiofrequency (RF) ablation, 44 had LV "fascicular" tachycardia, whereas 11 had RVOT tachycardia. During RF energy delivery, there was a change in VT morphology in two patients with idiopathic LV tachycardia. This second morphology was not ablated initially, recurred at follow-up, and was reablated successfully. In two additional patients with idiopathic LV tachycardia, a second VT was inducible after ablation of the "clinical" VT. This second morphology recurred at follow-up and was ablated successfully in one patient. The site where the second VT was ablated in all the three patients was remote from that of the first VT. In two patients with RVOT tachycardia, a second VT, originating from a different area of the RVOT, was induced after RF ablation of the "clinical" VT. This second VT recurred at follow-up and was reablated successfully in one patient.

CONCLUSION

Idiopathic VT is a more heterogenous entity than hitherto believed. A second VT was seen in 11% of patients during or after RF ablation of the "clinical" VT. The appearance of a second VT suggests either a different exit site of the same circuit or another site of origin.