title: Radiofrequency catheter ablation of frequent premature ventricular contractions using ARRAY multi-electrode balloon catheter.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The noncontact mapping system facilitates the mapping of premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) and ventricular tachycardia (VT) using a 64-electrode expandable balloon catheter (ARRAY, St. Jude Medical). The aim of this study is to analyze the results and follow-up of the PVC ablation using this system.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Prospective and consecutive patients with frequent PVCs (6,000 or more) or monomorphic VT, suspected to be originated on the right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT), were included. The balloon catheter was positioned in the RVOT. Eighteen patients, 9 women, mean age 48 years (youngest/oldest 19-65) were included. Sixteen patients presented no structural heart disease. The origin of the arrhythmia was RVOT (n = 15), right ventricular inflow tract (n = 1), and left ventricular outflow tract (n = 2). Acute success was achieved in 15 patients; in 2 patients radiofrequency was not applied due to security reasons (origin site close to left coronary artery origin). The mean follow-up was 15 months (min. 4, max. 26); 13 patients presented abolition of the arrhythmia without drugs and 1 patient required antiarrhythmic drugs for arrhythmia control (previously ineffective). As an only complication, a femoral artery-venous fistula was observed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The noncontact mapping system using a multielectrode balloon allows right ventricular arrhythmia treatment with a high rate of efficacy and safety.
authors.affiliation: Cardiology Department, Arrhythmias and Electrophysiology Service, Clinica y Maternidad Suizo Argentina, Buenos Aires, Argentina. sdubner@cardiologyjournal.org.
authors.forename: Sergio
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Dubner
authors.forename: Claudio
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Hadid
authors.forename: Damian
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Azocar
authors.forename: Carlos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Labadet
authors.forename: Cecilia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Valsecchi
authors.forename: Agustin
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Dominguez
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D062906:Cardiac Catheters; D017115:Catheter Ablation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation*; D004566:Electrodes; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D017180:Tachycardia, Ventricular / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D018879:Ventricular Premature Complexes / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents
keywords: ARRAY balloon catheter; catheter ablation; frequent premature ventricular contractions; non-contact mapping; ventricular tachycardia