What question did this study set out to answer?

This study aims to evaluate the efficacy and outcomes of ventricular tachycardia ablation in ICD patients in a real-world setting.

June 25, 2026Clinical Research in Cardiology0 citationsOpen Access

Real-world characteristics and management of ventricular tachycardias in ICD patients: Data from the VIDEO registry

FKFabienne KreimerElectrophysiology JWJulian WolfesUniversity Hospital Münster TRThomas RiemerStiftung Institut für Herzinfarktforschung

Key Points

This study aims to evaluate the efficacy and outcomes of ventricular tachycardia ablation in ICD patients in a real-world setting.
Analyzed 801 ICD patients hospitalized with ventricular tachycardia from the German VIDEO registry (2018-2023).

Structured PICO

Does catheter ablation improve in-hospital outcomes in ICD patients hospitalized with ventricular tachycardia compared to conservative management?

Population

801 implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) patients hospitalized with ventricular tachycardia (VT) in Germany between 2018 and 2023, mean age 63.3 years, 19.1% female.

Intervention

Catheter ablation for ventricular tachycardia during the hospital stay.

Comparator

Conservative management without ventricular tachycardia ablation during the hospital stay.

Outcome

In-hospital outcomes including intensive care unit (ICU) admission, mechanical ventilation, serious arrhythmic events (ventricular fibrillation, cardiac arrest), and in-hospital mortality.hard clinical

In a real-world registry of ICD patients hospitalized with VT, those selected for catheter ablation had fewer baseline comorbidities and experienced better in-hospital outcomes, including fewer cardiac arrests and ICU admissions, though selection bias likely plays a major role.

Abstract

BACKGROUND: While VT ablation is increasingly recognized as effective, its real-world efficacy, risks, and outcomes require further investigation. This study aims to assess VT ablations in a real-world scenario using data from the German VIDEO registry. METHODS: We analyzed 801 ICD patients hospitalized with VT within the German VIDEO registry between 2018 and 2023. Among these, 145 patients (18%) underwent VT ablation. Characteristics and in-hospital outcomes were compared between patients with and without ablation. RESULTS: Patients (mean age 63 ± 14 years, 19% female) selected for VT ablation had fewer comorbidities. The ablation group had lower rates of diabetes mellitus (16.6% vs. 24.7%, p = 0.04), chronic kidney disease (11.0% vs. 25.0%, p < 0.01), and ischemic heart disease (55.9% vs. 68.1%, p < 0.01). In-hospital outcomes differed between groups, with fewer ICU admissions (39.3% vs. 55.5%, p < 0.01) and less need for mechanical ventilation (11.0% vs. 20.1%, p = 0.01) in the ablation group. Additionally, the ablation group experienced fewer serious arrhythmic events, including lower rates of ventricular fibrillation (8.3% vs. 17.2%, p < 0.01) and cardiac arrest (9.7% vs. 19.1%, p < 0.01) while in-hospital mortality did not differ significantly. CONCLUSION: In this real-world registry, about 20% of VT patients underwent catheter ablation. Patients undergoing ablation had fewer comorbidities, indicating substantial selection. Observed differences in in-hospital outcomes likely reflect the combination of patient selection for ablation and treatment effects.

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