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World J Cardiol. Nov 26, 2011; 3(11): 339-350
Published online Nov 26, 2011. doi: 10.4330/wjc.v3.i11.339
Published online Nov 26, 2011. doi: 10.4330/wjc.v3.i11.339
Role of catheter ablation of ventricular tachycardia associated with structural heart disease
Roberto De Ponti, Department of Heart, Brain and Vessels, Ospedale di Circolo e Fondazione Macchi, University of Insubria, IT-21100 Varese, Italy
Author contributions: De Ponti R contributed solely to this paper.
Correspondence to: Roberto De Ponti, MD, FHRS, Department of Heart, Brain and Vessels, Ospedale di Circolo e Fondazione Macchi, University of Insubria Viale Borri, 57, IT-21100 Varese, Italy. rdeponti@alice.it
Telephone: +39-332-278934 Fax: +39-332-393644
Received: August 7, 2011
Revised: October 1, 2011
Accepted: October 8, 2011
Published online: November 26, 2011
Revised: October 1, 2011
Accepted: October 8, 2011
Published online: November 26, 2011
Abstract
In patients with structural heart disease, ventricular tachycardia (VT) worsens the clinical condition and may severely affect the short- and long-term prognosis. Several therapeutic options can be considered for the management of this arrhythmia. Among others, catheter ablation, a closed-chest therapy, can prevent arrhythmia recurrences by abolishing the arrhythmogenic substrate. Over the last two decades, different techniques have been developed for an effective approach to both tolerated and untolerated VTs. The clinical outcome of patients undergoing ablation has been evaluated in multiple studies. This editorial gives an overview of the role, methodology, clinical outcome and innovative approaches in catheter ablation of VT.
Keywords: Catheter ablation; Electroanatomic mapping; Implantable cardioverter-defibrillator; Radiofrequency energy; Sudden cardiac death; Ventricular tachycardia