title: Core isolation of critical arrhythmia elements for treatment of multiple scar-based ventricular tachycardias.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Radiofrequency ablation of multiple or unmappable ventricular tachycardias (VTs) remains a challenge with unclear end points. We present our experience with a new strategy isolating core elements of VT circuits.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Patients with structural heart disease presenting for VT radiofrequency ablation at 2 centers were included. Strategy involved entrainment/activation mapping if VT was hemodynamically stable, and voltage mapping with electrogram analysis and pacemapping. Core isolation (CI) was performed incorporating putative isthmus and early exit site(s) based on standard criteria. If VT was noninducible, the dense scar (<0.5 mV) region was isolated. Successful CI was defined by exit block (20 mA at 2 ms) within the isolated region. VT inducibility was also assessed. Forty-four patients were included (mean age, 63; 95% male; 73% ischemic cardiomyopathy; mean left ventricular ejection fraction, 31%; 68% with multiple unstable VTs [mean, 3+2]). CI area was 11+12 versus 55+40 cm(2) total scar area. Additional substrate modification was performed in 27 (61%), and epicardial radiofrequency ablation was performed in 4 (9%) patients. CI was achieved in 37 (84%) and led to better VT-free survival (log rank P=0.013).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  CI is a novel strategy with a discrete and measurable end point beyond VT inducibility to treat patients with multiple or unmappable VTs. The CI region can be selected based on standard characterization of suspected VT isthmus surrogates thus limiting ablation target size. Exit block within the isolated area is achievable in most and may further improve long-term success.
authors: From the Division of Cardiology, Section of Electrophysiology, University of Colorado Health System and School of Medicine, Aurora (W.S.T., T.H., D.F.K., W.H.S.); and Division of Cardiology, Section of Electrophysiology, University of Pennsylvania Health System and School of Medicine, Philadelphia (D.S.F., G.E.S., F.C.G., P.S., F.E.M.). wendy.tzou@ucdenver.edu.
authors: Wendy S
authors: WS
authors: Tzou
authors: From the Division of Cardiology, Section of Electrophysiology, University of Colorado Health System and School of Medicine, Aurora (W.S.T., T.H., D.F.K., W.H.S.); and Division of Cardiology, Section of Electrophysiology, University of Pennsylvania Health System and School of Medicine, Philadelphia (D.S.F., G.E.S., F.C.G., P.S., F.E.M.).
authors: David S
authors: DS
authors: Frankel
authors: From the Division of Cardiology, Section of Electrophysiology, University of Colorado Health System and School of Medicine, Aurora (W.S.T., T.H., D.F.K., W.H.S.); and Division of Cardiology, Section of Electrophysiology, University of Pennsylvania Health System and School of Medicine, Philadelphia (D.S.F., G.E.S., F.C.G., P.S., F.E.M.).
authors: Timothy
authors: T
authors: Hegeman
authors: From the Division of Cardiology, Section of Electrophysiology, University of Colorado Health System and School of Medicine, Aurora (W.S.T., T.H., D.F.K., W.H.S.); and Division of Cardiology, Section of Electrophysiology, University of Pennsylvania Health System and School of Medicine, Philadelphia (D.S.F., G.E.S., F.C.G., P.S., F.E.M.).
authors: Gregory E
authors: GE
authors: Supple
authors: From the Division of Cardiology, Section of Electrophysiology, University of Colorado Health System and School of Medicine, Aurora (W.S.T., T.H., D.F.K., W.H.S.); and Division of Cardiology, Section of Electrophysiology, University of Pennsylvania Health System and School of Medicine, Philadelphia (D.S.F., G.E.S., F.C.G., P.S., F.E.M.).
authors: Fermin C
authors: FC
authors: Garcia
authors: From the Division of Cardiology, Section of Electrophysiology, University of Colorado Health System and School of Medicine, Aurora (W.S.T., T.H., D.F.K., W.H.S.); and Division of Cardiology, Section of Electrophysiology, University of Pennsylvania Health System and School of Medicine, Philadelphia (D.S.F., G.E.S., F.C.G., P.S., F.E.M.).
authors: Pasquale
authors: P
authors: Santangeli
authors: From the Division of Cardiology, Section of Electrophysiology, University of Colorado Health System and School of Medicine, Aurora (W.S.T., T.H., D.F.K., W.H.S.); and Division of Cardiology, Section of Electrophysiology, University of Pennsylvania Health System and School of Medicine, Philadelphia (D.S.F., G.E.S., F.C.G., P.S., F.E.M.).
authors: David F
authors: DF
authors: Katz
authors: From the Division of Cardiology, Section of Electrophysiology, University of Colorado Health System and School of Medicine, Aurora (W.S.T., T.H., D.F.K., W.H.S.); and Division of Cardiology, Section of Electrophysiology, University of Pennsylvania Health System and School of Medicine, Philadelphia (D.S.F., G.E.S., F.C.G., P.S., F.E.M.).
authors: William H
authors: WH
authors: Sauer
authors: From the Division of Cardiology, Section of Electrophysiology, University of Colorado Health System and School of Medicine, Aurora (W.S.T., T.H., D.F.K., W.H.S.); and Division of Cardiology, Section of Electrophysiology, University of Pennsylvania Health System and School of Medicine, Philadelphia (D.S.F., G.E.S., F.C.G., P.S., F.E.M.).
authors: Francis E
authors: FE
authors: Marchlinski
mesh_terms: D000200:Action Potentials; D000368:Aged; D017115:Catheter Ablation / Q000009:adverse effects; D002921:Cicatrix / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D003120:Colorado; D022062:Electrophysiologic Techniques, Cardiac; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006352:Heart Ventricles / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015143:Philadelphia; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012008:Recurrence; D012307:Risk Factors; D013318:Stroke Volume; D017180:Tachycardia, Ventricular / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D016277:Ventricular Function, Left
keywords: arrhythmia (heart rhythm disorders); catheter ablation; tachycardia, ventricular