title: Standardized stimulation protocol to predict the long-term success of radiofrequency ablation of postinfarction ventricular tachycardia.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The ability to predict the success of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is an essential step in the management of ventricular tachycardia (VT) in patients with ischemic heart disease.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study tested a standardized programmed stimulation protocol and pre-specified definitions of procedural outcome. Consecutive patients referred for RFA of delayed post infarction VT were enrolled. Programmed stimulation was performed at the beginning and the end of an RFA procedure, and consisted of an 8 beat drive followed by up to 5 extrastimuli. Immediate success was defined as no inducible monomorphic VT, and a modified result was defined as the inducibility of VT with > 2 extrastimuli beyond those required at baseline. Procedural failure was defined when these criteria were not met. Recurrences of sustained VT and arrhythmic deaths were monitored during long-term follow-up.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The study enrolled 112 patients. Immediate procedural success was achieved in 38%, a modified result in 34%, and procedural failure in 28% of patients. During a mean follow-up of 78 +/- 16 months, recurrent sustained VT was observed in 25 patients. VT recurrence was 3% (3/79) in patients with a successful or modified result, compared with 67% (22/33) in those who had undergone unsuccessful procedures (P < 0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This standardized stimulation protocol and definitions of procedural success, enabled us to predict with high accuracy a VT recurrence-free long-term follow-up. This may have implications in recommending devices or other treatments after RFA for postinfarction VT.
authors.affiliation: Department of Academic Cardiology, Freeman Hospital, Heaton Road, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, NE77DN, England. odonnell.research@hotmail.com
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: O'Donnell
authors.forename: John P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Bourke
authors.forename: Steve S
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Furniss
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002304:Cardiac Pacing, Artificial; D017115:Catheter Ablation; D022062:Electrophysiologic Techniques, Cardiac; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000150:complications*; D012008:Recurrence; D017180:Tachycardia, Ventricular / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome