Concomitant thoracoscopic left cardiac sympathectomy and RVOT epicardial ablation of the arrhythmogenic substrate in a patient with Long QT and Brugada syndromes related to uncommon sodium channel beta-subunit mutation

Efficacy and safety of catheter ablation for Brugada syndrome: an updated systematic review

BACKGROUND

Patients with Brugada syndrome (BrS) may experience recurrent ventricular arrhythmias (VAs). Catheter ablation is becoming an emerging paradigm for treatment of BrS.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the efficacy and safety of catheter ablation in BrS in an updated systematic review.

METHODS

We comprehensively searched the databases of Pubmed/Medline, EMBASE, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials from inception to 11th of August 2021.

RESULTS

Fifty-six studies involving 388 patients were included. A substrate-based strategy was used in 338 cases (87%), and a strategy of targeting premature ventricular complex (PVCs)/ventricular tachycardias (VTs) that triggered ventricular fibrillation (VF) in 47 cases (12%), with combined abnormal electrogram and PVC/VT ablation in 3 cases (1%). Sodium channel blocker was frequently used to augment the arrhythmogenic substrate in 309/388 cases (80%), which included a variety of agents, of which ajmaline was most commonly used. After ablation procedure, the pooled incidence of non-inducibility of VA was 87.1% (95% confidence interval [CI], 73.4-94.3; I2 = 51%), and acute resolution of type I ECG was seen in 74.5% (95% CI [52.3-88.6]; I2 = 75%). Over a weighted mean follow up of 28 months, 7.6% (95% CI [2.1-24]; I2 = 67%) had recurrence of type I ECG either spontaneously or with drug challenge and 17.6% (95% CI [10.2-28.6]; I2 = 60%) had recurrence of VA.

CONCLUSION

Catheter ablation appears to be an efficacious strategy for elimination of arrhythmias or substrate associated with BrS. Further study is needed to identify which patients stand to benefit, and optimal provocation protocol for identifying ablation targets.

Ablation therapy of postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome, inappropriate sinus tachycardia and primary electrical diseases: new insights in invasive treatment options in severely symptomatic patients

Achieving the goal management of some arrhythmic syndromes can be challenging; medical treatment for inappropriate sinus tachycardia (IST) and postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) may be ineffective, necessitating multidisciplinary team treatment. Implantable defibrillator devices (ICDs), along with anti-arrhythmic drugs (AADs), remain the first-line treatment for primary electrical diseases that pose a risk of sudden cardiac death (SCD). Ablation of the arrhythmogenic substrate is not always suggested in patients with these pathologies, but it may be a valuable support for reducing arrhythmic burden, improving quality of life, and treating pathologies that are resistant to pharmacological treatment; however, this option is not often considered due to the potential risks associated with an invasive approach. Minimally invasive hybrid ablation in these syndromes, such as a hybrid thoracoscopic approach and the use of non-invasive mapping systems, reduces post-surgery complications and ensures the best possible outcome for the patient.