Single-centre experience with an 8-mm tip catheter for radiofrequency catheter ablation of outflow tract ventricular ectopic beats.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of outflow tract ventricular ectopic beats (OTVEBs) can be performed using a 4-mm or externally-cooled tip RFA catheter, but no data are available concerning the safety and efficacy of a large-tip (8-mm) catheter.

AIMS:

To evaluate the feasibility of using an 8-mm tip catheter in patients with OTVEBs.

METHODS:

In this prospective cohort study, the 8-mm tip catheter was tested in patients who were referred to our centre for RFA of symptomatic OTVEBs.

RESULTS:

The mean age of the 16 patients recruited between September 2008 and March 2010 was 53±18 years and 56.3% were male. Mean left ventricular ejection fraction was 62±9%, mean ventricular ectopic beat width was 144±21 ms, and all patients had left bundle branch block. Fourteen patients had inferior axis QRS morphology and two had superior. The main symptoms were palpitations and pre-syncope. RFA parameters were: procedure time 94±35 min; duration of application 11±10 min; impedance 81±12 Ω; temperature 50±5 °C; and power 46±17 W. RFA succeeded in 15 over 16 patients (93.8%); and recurrence was seen in one patient after a mean follow-up time of 11±6 months. No complications were noted.

CONCLUSIONS:

This preliminary study suggests that an 8-mm tip catheter may represent an alternative for RFA in patients with OTVEBs in whom a 4-mm tip was not successful. Larger randomized studies are therefore warranted.

• Authors: Antoine Da Costa, Lila Khris, Abdallah Nadrouss, Pierre Chafiotte, Cécile Romeyer-Bouchard, Laurence Bisch, Alexie Gate-Martinet, Karl Isaaz
• Journal: Archives of cardiovascular diseases (Arch Cardiovasc Dis) Vol. 105 Issue 1 Pg. 24-32 (Jan 2012) ISSN: 1875-2128 [Electronic] Netherlands
• PMID: 22369915 (Publication Type: Comparative Study, Journal Article)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

Topics

• Catheter Ablation (instrumentation)
• Catheters
• Echocardiography
• Electrocardiography
• Equipment Design
• Female
• Follow-Up Studies
• Heart Conduction System (physiopathology, surgery)
• Humans
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Cine
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Prospective Studies
• Treatment Outcome
• Ventricular Function, Left
• Ventricular Premature Complexes (diagnosis, physiopathology, surgery)