Selective anatomical catheter ablation of left atrial ganglionated plexus for vasovagal syncope: left superior and right anterior ganglionated plexus ablation

Background Vasovagal syncope (VVS) is one of the most common causes of syncope. Traditional treatment has not achieved satisfactory results. The purpose of this study was to assess the feasibility and efficacy of selective anatomical catheter ablation of left atrial ganglionated plexus (GP) as a therapeutic strategy for the patients of symptomatic VVS. Methods A total of 70 patients with at least once recurrent syncopal episodes of VVS with positive head-up tilt test were enrolled. They were divided into GP ablation group and control group. Patients in GP ablation group were received anatomical catheter ablation of left superior ganglionated plexus (LSGP) and right anterior ganglionated plexus (RAGP). Patients in control group were guideline-direted conventional therapy. The primary endpoint was VVS recurrences. The secondary endpoint was recurrence of syncope and prodrome events. Results There were no statistical differences in clinical characteristics between the ablation group (n = 35) and control group (n = 35). Over a follow-up of 12 months, ablation group had significantly lower syncope recurrence compared with control group (5.7% vs. 25.7%, P = 0.02), and ablation group had significantly lower syncope and prodrome recurrence compared with control group (11.4% vs. 51.4%, P < 0.001). In GP ablation, 88.6% of the patients showed significant vagal response during LSGP ablation, and 88.6% of the patients showed significant increased heart rate during RAGP ablation. Conclusions For patients with recurrent VVS, selective anatomical catheter ablation of LSGP and RAGP is superior to conventional therapy in reducing syncope recurrence.