Catheter ablation for refractory ventricular tachycardia early after acute myocardial infarction: management, electrophysiological characteristics, and outcomes
Year: 2025
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: AIMS: Refractory ventricular tachycardia (VT) is a rare but lethal condition in the early phase of acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Its intracardiac mechanism and role of catheter ablation is under-determined. The current study aims to evaluate the feasibility and safety of catheter ablation for refractory ventricular tachycardia in early AMI. METHODS AND RESULTS: Between 2022 and 2024, 12 835 consecutive patients with AMI were screened, and VT/ventricular fibrillation (VF) was developed in 261 (2.0%) patients; among them 51 (19.5%) were identified as refractory VT storm necessitating intensive intervention, and finally 19 patients received bailout ablation for incessant VT. Their clinical and electrophysiological characteristics and outcomes were collected and analysed. For these, 19 patients underwent rescue ablation, VT was developed at a median of 4 days after the onset of AMI and became incessant 2 days after the first VT occurrence, despite revascularization, anti-arrhythmic agents, sedation, and haemodynamic support. Through intracardiac mapping, VTs were all identified as scar-related reentry within the territory of the culprit artery. The endocardial mappable cycle length (CL) was 65.3 ± 7.6% to the total CL. Energy delivery at either component of critical isthmus from the endocardium successfully eliminated VT, and no foci trigger was observed after VT termination. Subsequent substrate modification was performed around the termination site. After the index procedure, recurrent sustained VT was documented in two, and one patient received repeated ablation. After a total of 20 procedures, VTs were all well subsided after the index procedure in all except for one patient who died of cerebral haemorrhage. The remaining patients were discharged alive. After a median of 18-month follow-up, one patient developed recurrent VF, and no sudden cardiac death occurred. CONCLUSION: Scar-related reentry is responsible for refractory VT early after AMI, and ablation at critical isthmus is effective in VT suppression. Its indication and optimal timing of catheter ablation should be evaluated in prospective analysis.
Institutions: Capital Medical University, Beijing Anzhen Hospital
Language: English
Subfield: Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $3,792
OpenAlex ID: W4413115697