Sinus rhythm endocardial mapping for channels identification in ischemic ventricular tachycardia using a modified electrophysiological triad

Abstract

Abstract Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: None. Background In a previous study it was demonstrated that an electrophysiological triad was able to identify critical isthmus in atrial flutter (AFL) patients. This triad is based in the Carto® electroanatomical mapping (EAM) version 7, which displays a histogram of the local activation times (LAT) of the tachycardia cycle length (TCL), in addition to the activation and voltage maps. Purpose This study aimed to prospectively assess the ability of a modified electrophysiological triad to identify and localize the ventricular tachycardia’s (VT) channels and entrance zones during sinus rhythm mapping. Methods Prospective analysis of a unicentric registry of individuals who underwent ischemic VT ablation with Carto® EAM, all in sinus rhythm. All patients with non-ischemic etiology, lack of high-density EAM or lack of mapping in any of the left ventricle walls or structures were excluded. Areas of late potentials and possible channels of re-entry were compared to a modified electrophysiological triad constituted by: areas of low-voltage (<0.5mV), a site of deep histogram valley (LAT-Valley) with less than 20% density points relative to the highest density zone and a prolonged LAT-Valley duration that included 10% or more of the total activation time mapped. We also assessed the relationship between the pre-valley bar (the LAT histogram bar immediately before the prolonged LAT-Valley) and the channel entrances. Results A total of 14 patients (14 men, median age 70 IQR 64-78 years) were included. All patients presented with ischemic VT and 86% had a previous inferior myocardial infarction. The median number of collected points were 1733 (IQR 1363─2729). All sinus rhythm maps presented with at least 1 LAT-Valley in the analysed histograms. All arrhythmias were effectively treated after undergoing radiofrequency in the LAT-Valley location, either by blocking the channel entrances or scar homogenization ablation strategy. Also, the pre-valley bar in the histogram marked all the channel entrances in the scar borders. No patient had relapse after a clinical follow up of over 6 months. Conclusion In a prospective analysis, a modified electrophysiological triad was able to identify the scar channels in sinus rhythm in all patients. The pre-valley bar in the histogram disclosed the channel entrances. Further studies are needed to assess the usefulness of this algorithm to simplify catheter ablation and improve clinical outcomes.