Idiopathic premature ventricular contractions arising from the pulmonary artery: importance of mapping in the pulmonary artery in left bundle branch block-shaped ventricular arrhythmias

Insights on the pulmonary artery-derived ventricular arrhythmia

Pulmonary artery-derived ventricular arrhythmia is gradually being recognized, which in a clinical context is recognized as an arterial ectopic beat. Our study aimed to provide new insights on the epidemiological characteristics, origin site, electrocardiogram (ECG) characteristics, intracardiac electrophysiological characteristics and radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) strategies for pulmonary artery-derived ventricular arrhythmia. Patients with a distance between the origin site and the pulmonary valve of >10 mm have what is known as pulmonary trunk-derived ventricular arrhythmia, while patients with a distance between the origin site and the pulmonary valve of ≤10 mm have what is known as pulmonary sinus cusp-derived ventricular arrhythmia. It is very difficult to differentiate pulmonary artery-derived ventricular arrhythmia from right ventricular outflow tract-derived ventricular arrhythmia on ECGs as both share similar anatomical features, but pulmonary artery-derived ventricular arrhythmia shows obvious intracardiac electrophysiological characteristics. Currently, conclusions based on the epidemiological characteristics of pulmonary artery-derived ventricular arrhythmia, relationship between the origin site and the pulmonary valve, electrophysiological characteristics, and RFCA strategies are controversial and still need further study.

[Current strategies in the treatment of ventricular tachycardia by catheter ablation : A review]

The treatment of ventricular tachycardia has recently undergone relevant changes as certain interventional treatment options, such as radiofrequency catheter ablation, have gained in importance. Numerous current publications have demonstrated the advantages of catheter ablation compared to conventional therapy with antiarrhythmic drugs in terms of effectiveness and morbidity. Improving the ablation technique and identifying those patient collectives who are most likely to benefit from ablation are still the objectives of current research. The treatment of ventricular tachycardia in the setting of different cardiac and non-cardiac conditions can be challenging and requires understanding of the current procedures and the recommendations for catheter ablation of ventricular tachycardia. This review succinctly summarizes the current research in this evolving field of interventional cardiology.

Catheter Ablation of Idiopathic Ventricular Arrhythmias Arising From the Cardiac Outflow Tracts - Recent Insights and Techniques for the Successful Treatment of Common and Challenging Cases

Ventricular arrhythmias (VA), like premature ventricular contractions (PVC) and ventricular tachycardia (VT) in patients without structural heart disease (idiopathic VA), mainly arise from the right and left ventricular outflow tracts (RVOT/LVOT). The prognosis for OT VA is generally good in the majority of patients, but there is potential for developing dilated cardiomyopathies from the high burden of VA, as well as a certain risk for sudden cardiac death because of fast monomorphic VT or polymorphic VT triggered by short-coupling PVC. Radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) has evolved into a widely accepted treatment strategy for patients suffering from VAs. A detailed knowledge of surface ECGs and complex cardiac anatomy, especially within the ventricular OTs, is essential for the understanding of cardiac OT-VAs and highly related to safe and successful RFCA procedures. This review article focuses on RFCA of idiopathic VA arising from the cardiac OT as well as adjacent regions and will illustrate recent insights and technical issues. (Circ J 2016; 80: 1073-1086).

Advances in management of premature ventricular contractions

Premature ventricular complexes (PVCs) are a common occurrence in clinical practice. The clinical presentation may range from asymptomatic to left ventricular (LV) dysfunction with congestive heart failure. The decision to suppress PVCs is largely based on the presence of symptoms, interference with other therapy (e.g., cardiac resynchronization therapy), or suspicion of PVC-mediated cardiomyopathy. Catheter ablation has emerged as a safe and effective option for the treatment of frequent PVCs. Careful attention to PVC characteristics on surface electrocardiogram has proven useful for the initial localization of the ectopic focus, which may then serve as a guide to procedural planning. The point of interest is often identified with activation mapping, and the ablation site can be further defined with pace mapping techniques. Clinical experience with PVC ablation has been successful in ≥80 % of cases, and the literature reports multiple cases of marked improvement in LV function after eradicating the culprit ectopic focus in patients with PVC-mediated cardiomyopathy.