Ablation of Atrioventricular Nodal Re-Entrant Tachycardia Combining Irrigated Flexible-Tip Catheters and Three-Dimensional Electroanatomic Mapping: Long-Term Outcomes

Michele Malagù; Francesco Vitali; Federico Marchini; Alessio Fiorio; Paolo Sirugo; Daniela Mele; Alessandro Brieda; Cristina Balla; Matteo Bertini

doi:10.3390/jcdd8060061

Ablation of Atrioventricular Nodal Re-Entrant Tachycardia Combining Irrigated Flexible-Tip Catheters and Three-Dimensional Electroanatomic Mapping: Long-Term Outcomes

J Cardiovasc Dev Dis. 2021 May 25;8(6):61. doi: 10.3390/jcdd8060061.

Authors

Michele Malagù¹, Francesco Vitali¹, Federico Marchini¹, Alessio Fiorio¹, Paolo Sirugo¹, Daniela Mele¹, Alessandro Brieda¹, Cristina Balla¹, Matteo Bertini¹

Affiliation

¹ Cardiological Center, S. Anna Hospital, Via Aldo Moro 8, 44124 Ferrara, Italy.

Abstract

Background: Transcatheter ablation is the standasrd treatment for atrioventricular nodal re-entrant tachycardia (AVNRT). However, different techniques are available. Data about the use of irrigated flexible-tip catheters and three-dimensional electroanatomical mapping (3D EAM) for AVNRT ablation are scant. The aim of this study was to evaluate in long-term follow-up efficacy and safety of a novel approach for AVNRT treatment.

Methods: This is a cohort single arm study with long-term follow-up. Patients with AVNRT were treated with catheter ablation by means of irrigated flexible-tip catheters combined with 3D EAM.

Results: One-hundred-and-fifty patients were enrolled and followed-up for a median of 38 months (minimum 12, maximum 74). Acute procedural success rate was 96.7% (145/150 patients). During follow-up, 11 patients had arrhythmia recurrences (7.3%). No patient developed atrioventricular conduction block with need for pacemaker implantation (0%). Fourteen patients died during follow-up (9.3%).

Conclusions: Acute procedural success and long-term follow-up show that AVNRT could be safely and effectively treated with irrigated flexible-tip catheters and 3D EAM.

Keywords: AVNRT; arrhythmias; atrioventricular nodal re-entrant tachycardia; electroanatomic mapping; irrigated catheter; radiofrequency; transcatheter ablation.