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Gupta A, Danaila V, De Silva K, Bhaskaran A, Turnbull S, Wong MS, Campbell TG, Kumar S. The Current Landscape of Ventricular Tachycardia Trials: A Systematic Review of Registered Studies. Heart Lung Circ 2024; 33:1082-1096. [PMID: 38821759 DOI: 10.1016/j.hlc.2024.01.041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2023] [Revised: 01/02/2024] [Accepted: 01/04/2024] [Indexed: 06/02/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although there are evolving techniques and technologies for treating ventricular tachycardia (VT), the current landscape of clinical trials for managing VT remains understudied. OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to provide a systematic characterisation of the interventional management of VT through an analysis of the ClinicalTrials.gov, clinicaltrialsregister.eu, anzctr.org.au and chictr.org.cn databases. METHODS We queried all phase II to IV interventional trials registered up to November 2023 that enrolled patients with VT. Published, completed but unpublished, terminated, or ongoing trials were included for final analysis. RESULTS Of the 698 registered studies, 135 were related to VT, with 123 trials included in the final analysis. Among these trials, 25 (20%) have been published, enrolling a median of 35 patients (interquartile range [IQR] 20-132) over a median of 43 months (IQR 19-62). Out of the published trials, 14 (56%) were randomised, and 12 (48%) focused on catheter ablation. Twenty-two (18%) have been completed but remain unpublished, even after a median of 36 months (IQR 15-60). Furthermore, 27 (22%) trials were terminated or withdrawn, with the most common cause being poor enrolment. Currently, 49 (40%) trials are ongoing and novel non-ablative technologies, such as radioablation and autonomic modulation, account for 35% and 8% of ongoing trials, respectively. CONCLUSIONS Our analysis revealed that many registered trials remain unpublished or incomplete, and randomised controlled trial evidence is limited to only a few studies. Furthermore, many ongoing trials are focused on non-catheter ablation-based strategies. Therefore, larger pragmatic trials are needed to create stronger evidence in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anunay Gupta
- Department of Cardiology, Westmead Hospital, NSW, Australia; Westmead Applied Research Centre, University of Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Vlad Danaila
- Department of Cardiology, Westmead Hospital, NSW, Australia
| | - Kasun De Silva
- Department of Cardiology, Westmead Hospital, NSW, Australia; Westmead Applied Research Centre, University of Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Ashwin Bhaskaran
- Department of Cardiology, Westmead Hospital, NSW, Australia; Westmead Applied Research Centre, University of Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Samual Turnbull
- Department of Cardiology, Westmead Hospital, NSW, Australia; Westmead Applied Research Centre, University of Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Mary S Wong
- Department of Cardiology, Westmead Hospital, NSW, Australia; Westmead Applied Research Centre, University of Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Timothy G Campbell
- Department of Cardiology, Westmead Hospital, NSW, Australia; Westmead Applied Research Centre, University of Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Saurabh Kumar
- Department of Cardiology, Westmead Hospital, NSW, Australia.
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Suzuki A, Lehmann HI, Konishi H, Wang S, Hohmann S, Rettman ME, Newman LK, Parker KD, Curley MG, Packer DL. Potential microemboli formation risk and its management during the heated saline-enhanced radiofrequency needle-tip catheter ablation. Heart Rhythm 2024:S1547-5271(24)02663-8. [PMID: 38823665 DOI: 10.1016/j.hrthm.2024.05.050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2024] [Revised: 05/10/2024] [Accepted: 05/27/2024] [Indexed: 06/03/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The potential risk of embolic events during ablation in the left ventricle (LV) with a heated saline-enhanced radiofrequency (SERF) needle-tip ablation catheter has not been characterized. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to investigate the formation of microemboli or other untoward events during SERF ablation. METHODS Ninety-three radiofrequency (RF) ablation procedures were performed in the LV of 14 pigs by using a SERF catheter (35 W, 70 seconds, and 60°C; normal or degassed saline [NS or DS] irrigation with a flow rate of 10 mL/min) vs a standard irrigated-tip radiofrequency (S-RF) catheter (30 or 50 W, 30 seconds, and 17 mL/min). Microbubble formation was graded on the basis of intracardiac echocardiography. Microbubbles, microembolic signals, and microparticles were monitored using our established model. RESULTS There was no significant difference in microbubble volume among SERF-NS, SERF-DS, and S-RF 30 W with "grade 1" intracardiac echocardiography microbubbles (median and 25th-75th percentiles 0.201 [0.011-3.13], 0.455 [0.06-2.66], and 0.004 μL [0.00-0.16 μL], respectively). There was no significant difference in microembolic signals among SERF-NS, SERF-DS, and S-RF 30 W with grade 1 bubbles (n = 8.0 ± 5.8, n = 7.6 ± 4.2, and n = 6.1 ± 6.1, respectively). Both SERF-NS and SERF-DS created larger lesions than did both S-RF 30 W and S-RF 50 W deliveries (mean 1241.5 ± 658.6, 1497.7 ± 893.4, 75.0 ± 24.8, and 184.0 ± 93.8 mm3; P < .001). There was no significant difference in microparticle incidence among groups (P = .675). No evidence of embolic events was found in the brain and other organs at the histology assessment. CONCLUSION In the setting of SERF ablation, significantly large LV lesions can be created without any increment in embolic microbubble or particle events. Grade 1 microbubble is related to the efficacy and safety.
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Affiliation(s)
- Atsushi Suzuki
- Translational Interventional Electrophysiology Laboratory, Mayo Clinic/St. Marys Campus, Rochester, Minnesota; Department of Cardiology, Yodogawa Christian Hospital, Osaka, Japan
| | - H Immo Lehmann
- Translational Interventional Electrophysiology Laboratory, Mayo Clinic/St. Marys Campus, Rochester, Minnesota; Department of Cardiology, Corrigan Minehan Heart Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts; Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Hiroki Konishi
- Translational Interventional Electrophysiology Laboratory, Mayo Clinic/St. Marys Campus, Rochester, Minnesota
| | - Songyun Wang
- Translational Interventional Electrophysiology Laboratory, Mayo Clinic/St. Marys Campus, Rochester, Minnesota; Department of Cardiology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Stephan Hohmann
- Translational Interventional Electrophysiology Laboratory, Mayo Clinic/St. Marys Campus, Rochester, Minnesota
| | - Maryam E Rettman
- Translational Interventional Electrophysiology Laboratory, Mayo Clinic/St. Marys Campus, Rochester, Minnesota
| | - Laura K Newman
- Translational Interventional Electrophysiology Laboratory, Mayo Clinic/St. Marys Campus, Rochester, Minnesota
| | - Kay D Parker
- Translational Interventional Electrophysiology Laboratory, Mayo Clinic/St. Marys Campus, Rochester, Minnesota
| | | | - Douglas L Packer
- Translational Interventional Electrophysiology Laboratory, Mayo Clinic/St. Marys Campus, Rochester, Minnesota.
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Kurata M, Batnyam U, Tedrow UB, Richardson TD, Kanagasundram AN, Hasegawa K, Uetake S, Manuelian D, Pellegrini C, Stevenson WG. Intramural needle ablation or repeated standard ablation in patients referred for repeat ablation of scar-related ventricular tachycardia. J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol 2024; 35:994-1004. [PMID: 38501333 DOI: 10.1111/jce.16250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2023] [Revised: 01/18/2024] [Accepted: 03/04/2024] [Indexed: 03/20/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION When ventricular tachycardia (VT) recurs after standard RF ablation (sRFA) some patients benefit from repeat sRFA, whereas others warrant advanced methods such as intramural needle ablation (INA). Our objectives are to assess the utility of repeat sRFA and to clarify the benefit of INA when repeat sRFA fails in patients with VT due to structural heart disease. METHODS In consecutive patients who were prospectively enrolled in a study for INA for recurrent sustained monomorphic VT despite sRFA, repeat sRFA was considered first. INA was performed during the same procedure if repeat sRFA failed or no targets for sRFA were identified. RESULTS Of 85 patients enrolled, acute success with repeat sRFA was achieved in 30 patients (35%), and during the 6-month follow-up, 87% (20/23) were free of VT hospitalization, 78% were free of any VT, and 7 were lost to follow-up. INA was performed in 55 patients (65%) after sRFA failed, or no endocardial targets were found abolished or modified inducible VT in 35/55 patients (64%). During follow-up, 72% (39/54) were free of VT hospitalization, 41% were free of any VT, and 1 was lost to follow-up. Overall, 59 out of 77 (77%) patients were free of hospitalization and 52% were free of any VT. Septal-origin VTs were more likely to need INA, whereas RV and papillary muscle VTs were less likely to require INA. CONCLUSIONS Repeat sRFA was beneficial in 23% (18/77) of patients with recurrent sustained VT who were referred for INA. The availability of INA increased favorable outcomes to 52%.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masaaki Kurata
- Division of Cardiovascular, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Uyanga Batnyam
- Division of Cardiovascular, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Usha B Tedrow
- Division of Cardiovascular, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Travis D Richardson
- Division of Cardiovascular, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Arvindh N Kanagasundram
- Division of Cardiovascular, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Kanae Hasegawa
- Division of Cardiovascular, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Shunsuke Uetake
- Division of Cardiovascular, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Deborah Manuelian
- Division of Cardiovascular, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Christine Pellegrini
- Division of Cardiovascular, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - William G Stevenson
- Division of Cardiovascular, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
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Tschabrunn CM, Callans DJ. The VINTAGE Approach: Is Direct Intramyocardial Ablation Finally "Coming of Age"? JACC Clin Electrophysiol 2024; 10:826-828. [PMID: 38811067 DOI: 10.1016/j.jacep.2024.04.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2024] [Accepted: 04/14/2024] [Indexed: 05/31/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Cory M Tschabrunn
- Cardiac Electrophysiology Section, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - David J Callans
- Cardiac Electrophysiology Section, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.
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5
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Halaby RN, Bruce CG, Kolandaivelu A, Bhatia NK, Rogers T, Khan JM, Yildirim DK, Jaimes AE, O'Brien K, Babaliaros VC, Greenbaum AB, Lederman RJ. Ventricular Intramyocardial Navigation for Tachycardia Ablation Guided by Electrograms (VINTAGE): Deep Ablation in Inaccessible Targets. JACC Clin Electrophysiol 2024; 10:814-825. [PMID: 38811066 DOI: 10.1016/j.jacep.2024.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2024] [Revised: 03/27/2024] [Accepted: 04/03/2024] [Indexed: 05/31/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Deep intramural ventricular tachycardia substrate targets are difficult to access, map, and ablate from endocardial and epicardial surfaces, resulting in high recurrence rates. OBJECTIVES In this study, the authors introduce a novel approach called ventricular intramyocardial navigation for tachycardia ablation guided by electrograms (VINTAGE) to access and ablate anatomically challenging ventricular tachycardia from within the myocardium. METHODS Guidewire/microcatheter combinations were navigated deep throughout the extravascular myocardium, accessed directly from the right ventricle cavity, in Yorkshire swine (6 naive, 1 infarcted). Devices were steered to various intramyocardial targets including the left ventricle summit, guided by fluoroscopy, unipolar electrograms, and/or electroanatomic mapping. Radiofrequency ablations were performed to characterize ablation parameters and reproducibility. Intramyocardial saline irrigation began 1 minute before ablation and continued throughout. Lesions were analyzed on cardiac magnetic resonance and necropsy. RESULTS VINTAGE was feasible in all animals within naive and infarcted myocardium. Forty-three lesions were created, using various guidewires and power settings. Forty-one (95%) lesions were detected on cardiac magnetic resonance and 38 (88%) on necropsy; all undetected lesions resulted from intentionally subtherapeutic ablation energy (10 W). Larger-diameter guidewires yielded larger size lesions. Lesion volumes on necropsy were significantly larger at 20 W than 10 W (178 mm3 [Q1-Q3: 104-382 mm3] vs 49 mm3 [Q1-Q3: 35-93 mm3]; P = 0.02). Higher power (30 W) did not create larger lesions. Median impedance dropped with preablation irrigation by 12 Ω (Q1-Q3: 8-17 Ω), followed by a further 15-Ω (Q1-Q3: 11-19 Ω) drop during ablation. Intramyocardial navigation, ablation, and irrigation were not associated with any complications. CONCLUSIONS VINTAGE was safe and effective at creating intramural ablation lesions in targets traditionally considered inaccessible from the endocardium and epicardium, both naive and infarcted. Intramyocardial guidewire irrigation and ablation at 20 W creates reproducibly large intramural lesions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rim N Halaby
- Cardiovascular Branch, Division of Intramural Research, National Heart Lung and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Christopher G Bruce
- Cardiovascular Branch, Division of Intramural Research, National Heart Lung and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA; Emory University Hospital, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Aravindan Kolandaivelu
- Division of Cardiology, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | | | - Toby Rogers
- Cardiovascular Branch, Division of Intramural Research, National Heart Lung and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA; MedStar Washington Hospital Center, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Jaffar M Khan
- Cardiovascular Branch, Division of Intramural Research, National Heart Lung and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA; St Francis Hospital, Roslyn, New York, USA
| | - D Korel Yildirim
- Cardiovascular Branch, Division of Intramural Research, National Heart Lung and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Andi E Jaimes
- Cardiovascular Branch, Division of Intramural Research, National Heart Lung and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Kendall O'Brien
- Cardiovascular Branch, Division of Intramural Research, National Heart Lung and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | | | | | - Robert J Lederman
- Cardiovascular Branch, Division of Intramural Research, National Heart Lung and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA.
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6
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Santangeli P, Higuchi K, Sroubek J. Ventricular Tachycardia Ablation Endpoints: Moving Beyond Noninducibility. JACC Clin Electrophysiol 2024; 10:981-999. [PMID: 38385913 DOI: 10.1016/j.jacep.2023.12.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2023] [Revised: 12/08/2023] [Accepted: 12/30/2023] [Indexed: 02/23/2024]
Abstract
In patients with structural heart disease and ventricular tachycardia (VT) undergoing catheter ablation, the response to programmed electrical stimulation (PES) at the end of the procedure has been traditionally used to evaluate the acute success and predict long-term outcomes. Although noninducibility at PES has been extensively investigated and validated in clinical trials and large multicenter registries, its performance in predicting long-term freedom from VT is suboptimal. In addition, PES has inherent limitations related to the influence of background antiarrhythmic drug therapy, periprocedural use of anesthesia, and the heterogeneity in PES protocols. The increased utilization of substrate-based ablation approaches that focus on ablation of abnormal electrograms identified with mapping in sinus or paced rhythm has been paralleled by a need for additional procedural endpoints beyond VT noninducibility at PES. This article critically appraises the relative merits and limitations of different procedural endpoints according to different ablation techniques for catheter ablation of scar-related VT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pasquale Santangeli
- Section of Cardiac Pacing and Electrophysiology, Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, USA.
| | - Koji Higuchi
- Section of Cardiac Pacing and Electrophysiology, Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Jakub Sroubek
- Section of Cardiac Pacing and Electrophysiology, Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
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7
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Verma A, Essebag V, Neuzil P, Dyrda K, Balt J, Dinov B, Darma A, Arya A, Sacher F, Reddy VY, Boersma L, Grigorov I, De Potter T. Cryocure-VT: the safety and effectiveness of ultra-low-temperature cryoablation of monomorphic ventricular tachycardia in patients with ischaemic and non-ischaemic cardiomyopathies. Europace 2024; 26:euae076. [PMID: 38582974 PMCID: PMC10998960 DOI: 10.1093/europace/euae076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/29/2024] [Accepted: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 04/08/2024] Open
Abstract
AIMS The ultra-low-temperature cryoablation (ULTC) ablation system using -196°C N2 cryogen has been reported to create lesions with freeze duration-dependent depth titratable to over 10 mm with minimum attenuation by scar. Cryocure-VT (NCT04893317) was a first-in-human clinical trial evaluating the safety and efficacy of a novel, purpose-built ULTC catheter in endocardial ablation of scar-dependent ventricular tachycardias (VTs). METHODS AND RESULTS This prospective, multi-centre study enrolled patients referred for de novo or second ablations of recurrent monomorphic VT of both ischaemic and non-ischaemic aetiologies. Primary safety and efficacy endpoints of the study were freedom from device- or procedure-related major adverse events (MAEs) up to 30 days post-ablation, acute non-inducibility of clinical VTs at the end of the procedure, and freedom from sustained VT or implantable defibrillator intervention at 6 months. Ultra-low-temperature cryoablation was performed in 64 patients (age 67 ± 11 years, 78% ischaemic, ejection fraction = 35 ± 10%) at 9 centres. The primary acute effectiveness endpoint was achieved in 94% (51/54) of patients in whom post-ablation induction was attempted. There were no protocol-defined MAEs; four procedure-related serious adverse events resolved without clinical sequelae. At 6-month follow-up, 38 patients (60.3%) remained VT-free, and freedom from defibrillator shock was 81.0%, with no significant difference between ischaemic and non-ischaemic cohorts. In 47 patients with defibrillator for at least 6 months prior to the ablation, the VT burden was reduced from median of 4, inter-quartile range (IQR, 1-9) to 0, IQR (0-2). CONCLUSION In this first-in-human multi-centre experience, endocardial ULTC ablation of monomorphic VT appears safe and effective in patients with both ischaemic-cardiomyopathy and non-ischaemic-cardiomyopathy. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION NCT04893317.
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Affiliation(s)
- Atul Verma
- Division of Cardiology, McGill University Health Centre, D13.173, 1650 Cedar Avenue, Montreal, QC H3G 1A4, Canada
| | - Vidal Essebag
- Division of Cardiology, McGill University Health Centre, D13.173, 1650 Cedar Avenue, Montreal, QC H3G 1A4, Canada
| | - Petr Neuzil
- Department of Cardiology, Na Homolce Hospital, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Katia Dyrda
- Department of Medicine, Montreal Heart Institute, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Jippe Balt
- Department of Cardiology, St. Antonius Hospital, Nieuwegein, The Netherlands
| | - Borislav Dinov
- Department of Electrophysiology, Leipzig Heart Center, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Angeliki Darma
- Department of Electrophysiology, Leipzig Heart Center, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Arash Arya
- Department for Internal Medicine, University Hospital Halle, Halle, Germany
| | - Frederic Sacher
- Bordeaux University Hospital, IHU LIRYC, University of Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France
| | - Vivek Y Reddy
- Department of Cardiology, Na Homolce Hospital, Prague, Czech Republic
- Helmsley Electrophysiology Center, Mount Sinai Fuster Heart Hospital, New York, NY, USA
| | - Lucas Boersma
- Department of Cardiology, St. Antonius Hospital, Nieuwegein, The Netherlands
- Department of Heart Failure and Arrhythmias,Amsterdam University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | | | - Tom De Potter
- Cardiovascular Center, OLV Hospital, Moorselbaan 164, 9300 Aalst, Belgium
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8
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Zeppenfeld K, Kimura Y, Ebert M. Mapping and Ablation of Ventricular Tachycardia in Inherited Left Ventricular Cardiomyopathies. JACC Clin Electrophysiol 2023:S2405-500X(23)00816-2. [PMID: 38127011 DOI: 10.1016/j.jacep.2023.10.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2023] [Revised: 10/12/2023] [Accepted: 10/23/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
Advances in the field of human genetics have led to an accumulating understanding of the genetic basis of distinct nonischemic cardiomyopathies associated with ventricular tachycardias (VTs) and sudden cardiac death. To date, there is an increasing proportion of patients with inherited cardiomyopathies requiring catheter ablation for VTs. This review provides an overview of disease-causing gene mutations frequently encountered and relevant for clinical electrophysiologists. Available data on VT ablation in patients with an inherited etiology and a phenotype of a nondilated left ventricular cardiomyopathy, dilated cardiomyopathy, or hypertrophic cardiomyopathy are summarized. VTs amenable to catheter ablation are related to nonischemic fibrosis. Recent insights into genotype-phenotype relations of subtype and location of fibrosis have important implications for treatment planning. Current strategies to delineate nonischemic fibrosis and related arrhythmogenic substrates using multimodal imaging, image integration, and electroanatomical mapping are provided. The ablation approach depends on substrate location and extension. Related procedural aspects including patient-tailored (enhanced) ablation strategies and outcomes are outlined. Challenging substrates for VT and the underlying inherited etiologies with a high risk for rapid progressive heart failure contribute to poor outcomes after catheter ablation. Electroanatomical data obtained during ablation may allow the identification of patients at particular risk who need to be considered for early work-up for left ventricular assist device implantation or heart transplantation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katja Zeppenfeld
- Department of Cardiology, Heart-Lung-Center, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands; Willem Einthoven Center of Arrhythmia Research and Management, Leiden, the Netherlands, and Aarhus, Denmark.
| | - Yoshitaka Kimura
- Department of Cardiology, Heart-Lung-Center, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands; Willem Einthoven Center of Arrhythmia Research and Management, Leiden, the Netherlands, and Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Micaela Ebert
- Department of Cardiology, Heart-Lung-Center, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands; Division of Electrophysiology, Department of Internal Medicine and Cardiology, Heart Center Dresden, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
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9
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John RM, Tedrow U, Tadros T, Richardson TD, Kanagasundram A, Hoffman RD, Kapp ME, Shah A, Michaud G, Stevenson W. Intramyocardial Hematoma During Catheter Ablation for Scar-Related Ventricular Tachycardia. JACC Clin Electrophysiol 2023; 9:2303-2314. [PMID: 37632506 DOI: 10.1016/j.jacep.2023.07.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2023] [Revised: 06/20/2023] [Accepted: 07/05/2023] [Indexed: 08/28/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Intramural hematoma during ablation for scar-related ventricular tachycardia (VT) is a rare but life-threatening complication. OBJECTIVES The goal of this study was to describe the features and outcomes of intramural hematoma during ablation for scar-related VT. METHODS From 2010 to 2022, >3,514 ablations for ventricular arrhythmias were performed at 2 institutions. Four cases of intramural hematoma complicating VT ablation for scar-related VT were identified. Intraprocedural details, imaging data, and surgical notes were reviewed to create a recognizable pattern of events highlighting this complication. RESULTS In 3 of 4 cases, intramural hematoma occurred during catheter ablation with an open irrigated 3.5 mm tipped catheter using normal saline for irrigation. In one case, hematoma was noted after ablation using an investigational needle electrode catheter. The occurrence of a steam pop preceded detection of an expanding intramural hematoma in 3 cases. ST-segment elevation on electrocardiography was evident in 3 cases; intracardiac echocardiographic imaging detected the hematoma in all cases. Epicardial rupture and pericardial effusion requiring drainage occurred in 3 cases, whereas 1 hematoma was self-contained and did not require intervention. Surgical intervention was performed in 2 cases, with successful outcomes. One patient who was deemed not a surgical candidate died of progressive cardiogenic shock. CONCLUSIONS Intramural hematoma during ablation for scar-related VT is a rare but potentially catastrophic complication that requires prompt recognition. Steam pops during ablation frequently precede the hematoma formation. Surgical intervention may be life-saving, although contained hematomas can occasionally be managed conservatively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roy M John
- Stanford University, Palo Alto, California, USA.
| | - Usha Tedrow
- Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Thomas Tadros
- Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | | | | | | | - Meghan E Kapp
- Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Ashish Shah
- Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
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10
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Natale A, Zeppenfeld K, Della Bella P, Liu X, Sabbag A, Santangeli P, Sommer P, Sticherling C, Zhang X, Di Biase L. Twenty-five years of catheter ablation of ventricular tachycardia: a look back and a look forward. Europace 2023; 25:euad225. [PMID: 37622589 PMCID: PMC10451002 DOI: 10.1093/europace/euad225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2023] [Accepted: 07/14/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023] Open
Abstract
This article will discuss the past, present, and future of ventricular tachycardia ablation and the continuing contribution of the Europace journal as the platform for publication of milestone research papers in this field of ventricular tachycardia ablation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Natale
- Department of Electrophysiology, Texas Cardiac Arrhythmia Institute, 3000 N. I-35, Suite 720, Austin, TX 78705, USA
| | - Katja Zeppenfeld
- Department of Cardiology, Willem Einthoven Center of Arrhythmia Research and Management, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Paolo Della Bella
- Department of Cardiac Electrophysiology and Arrhythmology, San Raffaele University Hospital, Milan, Italy
| | - Xu Liu
- Shanghai Chest Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Avi Sabbag
- Sheba Medical Center, Tel HaShomer, Israel and the Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | | | - Philipp Sommer
- Heart and Diabetes Center NRW, Ruhr University Bochum, Bad Oeynhausen, Germany
| | | | - Xiaodong Zhang
- Montefiore Health System, Einstein Medical School, New York, USA
| | - Luigi Di Biase
- Department of Electrophysiology, Texas Cardiac Arrhythmia Institute, 3000 N. I-35, Suite 720, Austin, TX 78705, USA
- Montefiore Health System, Einstein Medical School, New York, USA
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Vázquez-Calvo S, Roca-Luque I, Althoff TF. Management of Ventricular Arrhythmias in Heart Failure. Curr Heart Fail Rep 2023; 20:237-253. [PMID: 37227669 DOI: 10.1007/s11897-023-00608-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/08/2023] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Despite substantial progress in medical and device-based heart failure (HF) therapy, ventricular arrhythmias (VA) and sudden cardiac death (SCD) remain a major challenge. Here we review contemporary management of VA in the context of HF with one particular focus on recent advances in imaging and catheter ablation. RECENT FINDINGS Besides limited efficacy of antiarrhythmic drugs (AADs), their potentially life-threatening side effects are increasingly acknowledged. On the other hand, with tremendous advances in catheter technology, electroanatomical mapping, imaging, and understanding of arrhythmia mechanisms, catheter ablation has evolved into a safe, efficacious therapy. In fact, recent randomized trials support early catheter ablation, demonstrating superiority over AAD. Importantly, CMR imaging with gadolinium contrast has emerged as a central tool for the management of VA complicating HF: CMR is not only essential for an accurate diagnosis of the underlying entity and subsequent treatment decisions, but also improves risk stratification for SCD prevention and patient selection for ICD therapy. Finally, 3-dimensional characterization of arrhythmogenic substrate by CMR and imaging-guided ablation approaches substantially enhance procedural safety and efficacy. VA management in HF patients is highly complex and should be addressed in a multidisciplinary approach, preferably at specialized centers. While recent evidence supports early catheter ablation of VA, an impact on mortality remains to be demonstrated. Moreover, risk stratification for ICD therapy may have to be reconsidered, taking into account imaging, genetic testing, and other parameters beyond left ventricular function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Vázquez-Calvo
- Arrhythmia Section, Cardiovascular Institute (ICCV), CLÍNIC Barcelona University Hospital, C/Villarroel N° 170, 08036, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
- Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi I Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Ivo Roca-Luque
- Arrhythmia Section, Cardiovascular Institute (ICCV), CLÍNIC Barcelona University Hospital, C/Villarroel N° 170, 08036, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
- Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi I Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Till F Althoff
- Arrhythmia Section, Cardiovascular Institute (ICCV), CLÍNIC Barcelona University Hospital, C/Villarroel N° 170, 08036, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain.
- Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi I Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain.
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12
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Tedrow UB, Kurata M, Kawamura I, Batnyam U, Dukkipati S, Nakamura T, Tanigawa S, Fuji A, Richardson TD, Kanagasundram AN, Koruth JS, John RM, Hasegawa K, Abdelwahab A, Sapp J, Reddy VY, Stevenson WG. Worldwide Experience With an Irrigated Needle Catheter for Ablation of Refractory Ventricular Arrhythmias: Final Report. JACC Clin Electrophysiol 2023; 9:1475-1486. [PMID: 37278684 DOI: 10.1016/j.jacep.2023.05.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2023] [Revised: 05/11/2023] [Accepted: 05/11/2023] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND We previously reported feasibility of irrigated needle ablation (INA) with a retractable 27-G end-hole needle catheter to treat nonendocardial ventricular arrhythmia substrate, an important cause of ablation failure. OBJECTIVES The purpose of this study was to report outcomes and complications in our entire INA-treated population. METHODS Patients with recurrent sustained monomorphic ventricular tachycardia (VT) or high-density premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) despite radiofrequency ablation were prospectively enrolled at 4 centers. Endpoints included a 70% decrease in VT frequency or PVC burden decrease to <5,000/24 h at 6 months. RESULTS INA was performed in 111 patients (median: 2 failed prior ablations, 71% nonischemic heart disease, and left ventricular ejection fraction 36% ± 14%). INA acutely abolished targeted PVCs in 33 of 37 patients (89%), and PVCs were reduced to <5,000/day in 29 patients (78%). During 6-month follow-up, freedom from hospitalization was observed in 50 of 72 patients with VT (69%), and improvement or abolition of VT occurred in 47%. All patients received multiple INA applications, with more in the VT group than in the PVC group (median: 12 [IQR: 7-19] vs 7 [5-15]; P < 0.01). After INA, additional endocardial standard radiofrequency ablation was required in 23% of patients. Adverse events included 4 pericardial effusions (3.5%), 3 cases of (anticipated) atrioventricular block (2.6%), and 3 heart failure exacerbations (2.6%). During 6-month follow-up, 5 deaths occurred; none were procedure-related. CONCLUSIONS INA achieves improved arrhythmia control in 78% of patients with PVCs and avoids hospitalization in 69% of patients with VT refractory to standard ablation at 6-month follow-up. Procedural risks are acceptable. (Intramural Needle Ablation for Ablation of Recurrent Ventricular Tachycardia, NCT01791543; Intramural Needle Ablation for the Treatment of Refractory Ventricular Arrhythmias, NCT03204981).
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Affiliation(s)
- Usha B Tedrow
- Cardiovascular Division, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Masaaki Kurata
- Cardiovascular Division, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Iwanari Kawamura
- Helmsley Electrophysiology Center, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Uyanga Batnyam
- Cardiovascular Division, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Srinivas Dukkipati
- Helmsley Electrophysiology Center, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | | | - Shinichi Tanigawa
- Cardiovascular Division, Department of Medicine, Jikei University Katsushika Medical Center, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Akira Fuji
- Hoshinooka Cardiovascular Clinic, Ehime, Japan
| | - Travis D Richardson
- Cardiovascular Division, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Arvindh N Kanagasundram
- Cardiovascular Division, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Jacob S Koruth
- Helmsley Electrophysiology Center, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Roy M John
- Cardiovascular Division, Stanford University Medical Center, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Kanae Hasegawa
- Cardiovascular Division, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Amir Abdelwahab
- Heart Rhythm Service, Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, QEⅡ Health Sciences Center and Dalhousie University Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - John Sapp
- Heart Rhythm Service, Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, QEⅡ Health Sciences Center and Dalhousie University Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Vivek Y Reddy
- Helmsley Electrophysiology Center, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - William G Stevenson
- Cardiovascular Division, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA.
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13
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Ravi V, Winterfield J, Liang J, Larsen T, Dye C, Sanders D, Skeete J, Payne J, Trohman RG, Aksu T, Sharma PS, Huang HD. Solving the Reach Problem: A Review of Present and Future Approaches for Addressing Ventricular Arrhythmias Arising from Deep Substrate. Arrhythm Electrophysiol Rev 2023; 12:e04. [PMID: 37600155 PMCID: PMC10433105 DOI: 10.15420/aer.2022.28] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2022] [Accepted: 10/26/2022] [Indexed: 08/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Ventricular tachycardia (VT) is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with ischaemic and non-ischaemic cardiomyopathies. In most patients, the primary strategy of VT catheter ablation is based on the identification of critical components of reentry circuits and modification of abnormal substrate which can initiate reentry. Despite technological advancements in catheter design and improved ability to localise abnormal substrates, putative circuits and site of origins of ventricular arrhythmias (VAs), current technologies remain inadequate and durable success may be elusive when the critical substrate is deep or near to critical structures that are at risk of collateral damage. In this article, we review the available and potential future non-surgical investigational approaches for treatment of VAs and discuss the viability of these modalities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Venkatesh Ravi
- Saint Francis Heart and Vascular Institute, Tulsa, OK, US
| | - Jeffrey Winterfield
- Department of Cardiology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, US
| | - Jackson Liang
- Department of Cardiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, US
| | - Timothy Larsen
- Department of Cardiology, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, US
| | - Cicely Dye
- Department of Cardiology, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, US
| | - David Sanders
- Department of Cardiology, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, US
| | - Jamario Skeete
- Department of Cardiology, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, US
| | - Josh Payne
- Department of Cardiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, US
| | - Richard G Trohman
- Department of Cardiology, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, US
| | - Tolga Aksu
- Department of Cardiology, Yeditepe University Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Parikshit S Sharma
- Department of Cardiology, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, US
| | - Henry D Huang
- Department of Cardiology, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, US
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14
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De Gaspari M, Finato N, Marinigh R, Livi U, Basso C, Mantovan R. Recurrent arrhythmic storms and unsuccessful catheter ablation in chronic ischemic heart disease. Cardiovasc Pathol 2023; 62:107491. [PMID: 36306970 DOI: 10.1016/j.carpath.2022.107491] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2022] [Revised: 10/02/2022] [Accepted: 10/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The prototypical substrate for reentrant ventricular tachycardia (VT) is post-myocardial infarction (MI) scar. Catheter ablation is an important therapeutic option for recurrent VT but sometimes it is not effective despite the technical advances. Here we describe the case of a 60-year-old man who suffered a MI in 1998 and presented with recurrent arrhythmic storms during his long-term follow-up. Twenty years later, he underwent two catheter ablations with bipolar electroanatomic voltage mapping (EVM) demonstrating only an area of low voltages in the lateral left ventricular free wall. Both procedures were unsuccessful and the patient eventually underwent cardiac transplantation in 2019. Pathology examination revealed circumferential subendocardial scar with hypertrabeculation, so that the reentry substrate was unreachable by ablation with the use of standard techniques. The comparison of EVM findings with the morphologic ones in patients with chronic ischemic heart disease can help to better understand the feasibility and effectiveness of VT substrate ablation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monica De Gaspari
- Department of Medical Area (DAME), University of Udine, Udine, Italy; Department of Cardiac, Thoracic, Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padua - Azienda Ospedaliera, Padova, Italy
| | - Nicoletta Finato
- Department of Medical Area (DAME), University of Udine, Udine, Italy
| | - Ricarda Marinigh
- Department of Cardiology, "S. Maria dei Battuti" Hospital, Conegliano, Treviso, Italy
| | - Ugolino Livi
- Department of Medical Area (DAME), University of Udine, Udine, Italy
| | - Cristina Basso
- Department of Cardiac, Thoracic, Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padua - Azienda Ospedaliera, Padova, Italy.
| | - Roberto Mantovan
- Department of Cardiology, "S. Maria dei Battuti" Hospital, Conegliano, Treviso, Italy
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15
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Valderrábano M. What to do when everything fails…Is alcohol the answer? HeartRhythm Case Rep 2022; 9:6-7. [PMID: 36685683 PMCID: PMC9845640 DOI: 10.1016/j.hrcr.2022.11.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Miguel Valderrábano
- Address reprint requests and correspondence: Dr Miguel Valderrábano, 6550 Fannin St, Suite 1801, Smith Tower. Houston, TX 77030.
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16
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Garg L, Tzou WS. Force Awakens: Return of Needle Catheter Radiofrequency Ablation for Targeting Intramural Ventricular Arrhythmias. Circ Arrhythm Electrophysiol 2022; 15:e011309. [PMID: 36006297 DOI: 10.1161/circep.122.011309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Lohit Garg
- Cardiac Electrophysiology Section, Division of Cardiology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora
| | - Wendy S Tzou
- Cardiac Electrophysiology Section, Division of Cardiology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora
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