Purpose: In radiofrequency ablation near coronary arteries (CA), coronary angiography is traditionally recommended to estimate distance between catheter and CA. This study aimed to investigate the feasibility of an alternative approach for intuitively demonstrating spatial location of catheter and CA during ablation of ventricular arrhythmias (VAs) originating from aortic root (AR) and great cardiac vein (GCV).
Methods: During mapping and ablation, 3D-reconstructed cardiac CT and electroanatomic mapping were merged, and distance between CA and catheter was monitored. Coronary angiography, for distance verification, was used when the distance was less than 5 mm in image integration model (IIM).
Results: Twenty-three patients (52.26 ± 17.89 years, 12 men) with ablation originating in left cusp (LCC, n = 8), right cusp (n = 2), and left-right cusp junction (LCC-RCC, n = 12) and GCV (n = 1) were enrolled. In IIM, the distance between origin and CA was less than 5 mm in 2 VAs originating in LCC and one in GCV (3/23), whereas distance for ablation was always safe (12.3-22.3 mm) for VAs of LCC-RCC origin. IIM avoided angiography use in 20 patients, reducing radiation exposure by 80.6% (650.18 ± 624.31 vs 3356.97 ± 1529.46uGycm2, P = 0.088). VA termination failed in two cases of LCC origin due to proximity to CA, and was achieved in all other patients (91.3%). No CA damage occurred during the procedures.
Conclusion: Mapping and ablation under IIM guidance of VAs of AR and GCV origin appears feasible and safe, while avoiding angiography use particularly in VAs of LCC-RCC origin.
Keywords: Aortic root; Catheter ablation; Electroanatomic mapping; Three-dimensional CT; Ventricular arrhythmias.