A new workflow including Coherent algorithm in sinus rhythm for the treatment of Ventricular Tachycardia in patients with scar related heart disease
Authors: Viola G , Bandino S , Zirolia D , Amadori F , Sanna G D , Fadda M , Lorenzoni G , Merella P , Berne P M , Casu G 
Published: May 2023

Funding Acknowledgements

Type of funding sources: None.

Background

Catheter ablation is a well establish therapy in patients with structural heart disease (SHD) and sustain ventricular tachycardia (VT). Scar substrate modification is one of the two endpoint of a VT ablation procedure. Dechanneling is one of the described successful techniques that shown to be effective for substrate modification

Aim

This is a pilot study aiming to evaluate the feasibility and the acute efficacy of a new mapping approach for VT ablation with the combination of high density (HD) mapping and Coherent mapping algorithm.

Methods

All enrolled patients underwent radio frequency catheter ablation (RFCA) for drug-refractory VT or VT storm. Before mapping, programmed ventricular stimulation was performed in all patients for the induction of clinical VT or any other ventricular arrhythmias (VA), if VA was inducible, then electrical cardioversion was conducted to restore sinus rhythm.

After transseptal puncture, left ventricular (LV) HD mapping was conducted using a 3D mapping system aiming &gt;5000 mapping points during sinus rhythm, intrinsic atrial rhythm, or ventricular pacing with a multielectrode catheter. During HD mapping, all late potentials (LPs) were tagged as double potentials (DP) and all potentials below 0,2 mV were tagged as scar. Then, Coherent mapping was used to visualize electrical propagation through the LV, based on velocity vector identification, highlighting how the electrical signal enters the scar and identifying the "entrance points" (EP). RFCA was delivered in a power-controlled mode on all the individuated EPs using an open, irrigated-tip ablation catheter with contact force sensor. After RFCA, a second remap was conducted to evaluate the LPs abolition. Then, a programmed ventricular stimulation was performed to validate non inducibility of any VAs.

Results

10 consecutive patients (age 71,25±10,32 years, 100% male) undergoing RFCA for drug-refractory VT or VT storm (50%). Acute procedural end-point were: abolition of the LPs and non-inducibility of any VA at the end of the procedure. Abolition of LPs was reached in all cases while non inducibility was reached in 9 patients (90%). Mean procedural time was 214±33,81 min, mean mapping time was 89±15,40 min with mean number of acquired points of 5218±359,56. Mean fluoroscopy time and dose were 15±33,81 min and 5218±7149,8 µGm2, respectively. Mean entrance points identified was 2,6±0,84. In 5 patents (50%), after ablation a modification in the refractory period of the left ventricular myocardium was observed. Mean RF time was 1216±565,46 seconds, with mean number of Visitag of 33±29,98. No acute complication were reported.

Conclusion

High-density mapping in sinus rhythm combined with Coherent algorithm facilitates the understanding of the substrate and provides targets for effective ablation. This approach has been proven safe and with high acute success rates.