Scar dechanneling alone achieved 80% event-free survival at 2 years compared to 62% in patients requiring additional ablation for residual inducible VT (log-rank P=0.013).
Cohort (n=101)
Absolute Event Rate: 80% vs 62%
p-value: p=0.013
BACKGROUND: Ventricular tachycardia (VT) substrate ablation usually requires extensive ablation. Scar dechanneling technique may limit the extent of ablation needed. METHODS AND RESULTS: The study included 101 consecutive patients with left ventricular scar-related VT (75 ischemic patients; left ventricular ejection fraction, 36 ± 13%). Procedural end point was the elimination of all identified conducting channels (CCs) by ablation at the CC entrance followed by abolition of residual inducible VTs. By itself, scar dechanneling rendered noninducibility in 54.5% of patients; ablation of residual inducible VT increased noninducibility to 78.2%. Patients needing only scar dechanneling had a shorter procedure (213 ± 64 versus 244 ± 71 minutes; P = 0.027), fewer radiofrequency applications (19 ± 11% versus 27 ± 18%; P = 0.01), and external cardioversion/defibrillation shocks (20% versus 65.2%; P < 0.001). At 2 years, patients needing scar dechanneling alone had better event-free survival (80% versus 62%) and lower mortality (5% versus 11%). Incomplete CC-electrogram elimination was the only independent predictor (hazard ratio, 2.54 1.06-6.10) for the primary end point. Higher end point-free survival rates were observed in patients noninducible after scar dechanneling (log-rank P = 0.013) and those with complete CC-electrogram elimination (log-rank P = 0.013). The complications rate was 6.9%, with no deaths. CONCLUSIONS: Scar dechanneling alone results in low recurrence and mortality rates in more than half of patients despite the limited ablation extent required. Residual inducible VT ablation improves acute results, but patients who require it have worse outcomes. Recurrences are mainly related to incomplete CC-electrogram elimination.
Berruezo et al. (Tue,) conducted a cohort in Left ventricular scar-related ventricular tachycardia (n=101). Scar dechanneling alone vs. Scar dechanneling followed by ablation of residual inducible VT was evaluated on Event-free survival (p=0.013). Scar dechanneling alone achieved 80% event-free survival at 2 years compared to 62% in patients requiring additional ablation for residual inducible VT (log-rank P=0.013).