Outcomes of early catheter ablation for ventricular tachycardia in adult patients with structural heart disease and implantable cardioverter-defibrillator: An updated systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized trials

Long-term outcome after multiple VT ablations in NICM patients

BACKGROUND

Data about ventricular tachycardia (VT) ablation in patients with non-ischemic cardiomyopathies (NICM) is limited. This study sought to compare the acute and long-term outcomes of VT ablation in different NICMs.

METHODS

In this large single-center study consecutive patients presenting with NICM and sustained VTs undergoing VT ablation were included from May 2016 to February 2022. The patients were divided according to underlying NICM and investigated regarding endpoints of VT recurrences and cardiovascular mortality.

RESULTS

A total of 206 patients undergoing a total of 323 VT ablations were included (59 ± 16 years; 81% male; LVEF 36 ± 14%; DCM 57%, myocarditis 26%, sarcoidosis 8%, ARVC 9%). The acute procedural success was highest among ARVC (90%) and lowest among DCM patients (74%). 17% showed in-hospital recurrences (4% clinical VTs) with no difference among different NICMs. DCM patients were discharged with highest rates of antiarrhythmic drugs (41%), whereas ARVC patients with lowest (11%). Long-term VT recurrences during mean follow-up of 38 ± 22 months were highest among DCM patients with 61% followed by myocarditis with 56%, ARVC with 41% and sarcoidosis with 35% (log-rank p = 0.148). The recurrences of clinical VT were present in only 5% of all patients. 52 patients with recurrences (51%) underwent a second procedure with recurrences rates of any VT in 50% (highest among DCM patients; log-rank p = 0.259). 20 patients underwent a 3rd VT ablation, 15 a 4th, 6 a 5th and 1 patient a 6th procedure. Freedom from any VT after multiple procedures were different among etiologies (57% DCM vs. 74% myocarditis vs. 71% sarcoidosis vs. 82% ARVC; log-rank p = 0.067). Cardiovascular mortality was 19% with highest rates among DCM patients (log-rank p = 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

VT ablation among patients with NICM is highly effective with sufficient rhythm control in 2/3 of all patients, but non-clinical VT recurrences are common, especially in DCM patients. Those patients reveal highest cardiovascular mortality.

Stepwise ablation strategy in radiofrequency ablation improves acute and long-term outcomes of scar-related ventricular tachycardias

BACKGROUND

The optimal intervention procedures for scar-related ventricular tachycardia (VT) is still unclear.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to compare the acute and long-term outcomes of a stepwise ablation approach targeting critical sites identified through activation mapping during VT or pace mapping followed by substrate ablation with substrate modification alone in patients with scar-related VT.

METHODS

Data of 41 patients with scar-related VTs treated with stepwise ablation (Group 1, n = 29) or substrate modification alone during sinus rhythm (Group 2, n = 12) were retrospectively reviewed. The procedure acute success and long-term success during follow-up were compared.

RESULTS

There was no statistical difference between the two groups on basic characteristics. Group 1 demonstrated shorter ablation time (P = 0.02), longer VT-free survival rates at a median follow-up of 24.0 months (P = 0.02) and a lower VT recurrence rate (hazard ratio: 0.17, 95% confidence interval: [0.03, 0.93], P = 0.04) compared to Group 2. The acute success and ratio of ablation area to scar area were comparable between the two groups (P ≥ 0.05).

CONCLUSION

The stepwise ablation strategy shows promise for improving acute and long-term outcomes and reducing the recurrence risk in patients with scar-related VT.