Postinfarct ventricular tachycardia substrate: Characterization and ablation of conduction channels using ripple mapping.

Abstract

Conduction channels have been demonstrated within the postinfarct scar and seem to be co-located with the isthmus of ventricular tachycardia (VT). Mapping the local scar potentials (SPs) that define the conduction channels is often hindered by large far-field electrograms generated by healthy myocardium. The purpose of this study was to map conduction channel using ripple mapping to categorize SPs temporally and anatomically. We tested the hypothesis that ablation of early SPs would eliminate the latest SPs without direct ablation. Ripple maps of postinfarct scar were collected using the PentaRay (Biosense Webster) during normal rhythm. Maps were reviewed in reverse, and clusters of SPs were color-coded on the geometry, by timing, into early, intermediate, late, and terminal. Ablation was delivered sequentially from clusters of early SPs, checking for loss of terminal SPs as the endpoint. The protocol was performed in 11 patients. Mean mapping time was 65 ± 23 minutes, and a mean 3050 ± 1839 points was collected. SP timing ranged from 98.1 ± 60.5 ms to 214.8 ± 89.8 ms post QRS peak. Earliest SPs were present at the border, occupying 16.4% of scar, whereas latest SPs occupied 4.8% at the opposing border or core. Analysis took 15 ± 10 minutes to locate channels and identify ablation targets. It was possible to eliminate latest SPs in all patients without direct ablation (mean ablation time 16.3 ± 11.1 minutes). No VT recurrence was recorded (mean follow-up 10.1 ± 7.4 months). Conduction channels can be located using ripple mapping to analyze SPs. Ablation at channel entrances can eliminate the latest SPs and is associated with good medium-term results.