Epicardial ablation for cardiac arrhythmias: techniques, indications and results

Curr Opin Cardiol. 2014 Jan;29(1):59-67. doi: 10.1097/HCO.0000000000000021.

Abstract

Purpose of review: To review the most relevant published data on epicardial ablation of cardiac arrhythmias in the last few years.

Recent findings: Several studies performing epicardial and endocardial ablation have demonstrated that epicardial ablation may improve the results of ventricular tachycardia (VT) ablation in almost all cardiomyopathies. New imaging techniques have been recently applied, refining the identification of patients who actually benefit from epicardial ablation and increasing its safety.

Summary: Epicardial VT ablation is an important tool for electrophysiologists to deal with the challenge of scar-related ventricular arrhythmias.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Arrhythmias, Cardiac / diagnosis
  • Arrhythmias, Cardiac / etiology
  • Arrhythmias, Cardiac / therapy
  • Cardiomyopathies / complications
  • Catheter Ablation / methods*
  • Epicardial Mapping / methods*
  • Humans
  • Pericardium*
  • Tachycardia, Ventricular / diagnosis
  • Tachycardia, Ventricular / etiology
  • Tachycardia, Ventricular / therapy*
  • Treatment Outcome