Follow-Up After CatheterAblation of Papillary Muscles and Valve Cusps.

Abstract

The goal of this study was to determine the impact of catheter ablation in the region of papillary muscles (PMs) and valvular cusps (VC) on mitral, tricuspid, or aortic valve function. Ventricular arrhythmias arising from PMs and VCs often require extensive catheter ablation. Little is known regarding the risk of valve dysfunction after radiofrequency catheter ablation of such arrhythmias. A retrospective analysis was completed for 149 PM and VC VT/premature ventricular contraction (PVC) ablations from 2008 to 2018 at our institution. Patient and procedural details were collected for VT and PVC ablation cases involving PMs and VCs with available echocardiographic data pre-ablation and post-ablation (within 6months). Degree of valvular regurgitation (VR) was graded from 0 (none) to 4 (severe), and significant valvular dysfunction was defined as a 2+ change in VR. Of 149 radiofrequency catheter ablation cases, there were 84 (56%) aortic valve cusp ablations, 60 (40%) left ventricular PM ablations, and 5 (3%) right ventricular PM ablations. There were no statistically significant differences between pre-ablation and post-ablation VR severity (p=0.33). No patients had a 2+ grade change in VR severity when pre-ablation and post-ablation echocardiograms were compared. There were no significant sequelae requiring intervention in the post-ablation period. On follow-up of 36 ± 9months, for those with a change in VR, the severity had improved to baseline or remained stable. Despite often-times extensive ablation on and around valvular networks, risk of longstanding or permanent valvular dysfunction after VT/PVC ablation is rare.