Outcome of Radiofrequency Catheter Ablation as a non-pharmacological therapy for idiopathic Ventricular Tachycardia.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the outcome of Radiofrequency Catheter Ablation (RFCA) as a non-pharmacological curative therapy for idiopathic Ventricular Tachycardia (VT) and to identify procedure-related complications. STUDY DESIGN: Descriptive study. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY: The Armed Forces Institute of Cardiology and National Institute of Heart Diseases, Rawalpindi, from February 2001 to October 2008. METHODOLOGY: Ninety eight consecutive patients with idiopathic VT, resistant to drug therapy, who underwent Electrophysiology Studies (EPS) radiofrequency catheter ablation were enrolled. Clinical and electrophysiological variables were recorded and a descriptive analysis was done. RESULTS: Out of the 98 patients, 79 were males (80.6%). The mean age was 33.29+11.93 years. Modes of presentation were sustained VT, Repetitive Monomorphic VT (RMVT), Non-sustained VT (NSVT) and Ventricular Premature Beats (VPBs). Right Ventricular Outflow Tract (RVOT) VT was found in 37 patients, 37 had Idiopathic Left Ventricular Tachycardia (ILVT), 20 had Left Ventricular Outflow Tract (LVOT) VT, and Inflow Right Ventricular Tachycardia (IRVT) was found in 7 patients. Other sites of origin of VT were infrequent. Eight patients had dual morphologies of VT. Atrioventricular Nodal Re-entry Tachycardia (AVNRT) was found in 8 patients. RFCA was successful in abolishing inducible VT in 88 patients. One patient developed complete AV block requiring a permanent pacemaker. CONCLUSION: Results of this study confirm a high degree of success and safety of radiofrequency catheter ablation as curative therapy for idiopathic ventricular tachycardia.