RADIOFREQUENCY CATHETER ABLATION OF VENTRICULAR TACHYCARDIA IN 26 PATIENTS

Electrophysiology study and radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) were performed in 26 patients with refractory sustained ventricular tachycardia (VT). After induction of VT, 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) was recorded and QRS morphology and axis of induced VT were studied to identify the origin of VT. The precise site of VT origin were localized by pace mapping and activation mapping carefully. RF energy was delivered through a big-tip deflectable electrode catheter when the earliest site of endocardial activation and a high-frequency and low-amplitude potential of Purkinje fiber, preceding surface QRS by more than 25 ms, were identified and / or a pace map was obtained showing identical QRS complexes in at least 11 of 12 ECG leads. VTs were ablated successfully in 24 of 26 patients (success rate was 92%). For successful ablation, it is essential that the pace map QRS morphology in 12 leads should be identical with that in spontaneous or induced VT as far as possible in performing pace mapping. Pace