Radiofrequency current caused slowing of non-reentrant idiopathic right ventricular tachycardia originating from a wide arrhythmogenic area

• Published in: British Heart Journal Vol. 74; no. 6; pp. 698 - 699
• Main Authors: Chinushi, M., Aizawa, Y., Shibata, A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and British Cardiovascular Society 01.12.1995; BMJ; BMJ Publishing Group LTD
• Subjects: Arrhythmias, Cardiac - physiopathology; Biological and medical sciences; Cardiac dysrhythmias; Cardiology. Vascular system; Catheter Ablation; Electrocardiography; Female; Heart; Humans; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Tachycardia, Ventricular - physiopathology; Tachycardia, Ventricular - surgery; Human; Arrhythmia; Reentry; Instrumentation therapy; Cardiovascular disease; Radiofrequency; Ablation; Excitability disorder; Case study; Electrodiagnosis; Treatment; Heart disease; Electrocardiography; Paroxysmal ventricular tachycardia
• ISSN: 0007-0769; 1468-201X; 2053-5864
• DOI: 10.1136/hrt.74.6.698

Radiofrequency catheter ablation was attempted in a patient with non-reentrant idiopathic right ventricular tachycardia (VT). Endocardial mapping indicated that the VT originated in the outflow tract of the right ventricle; however, an electrogram with an almost the identical activation time was recorded from an area extending to 1.0 x 2.0 cm. Each application of radiofrequency current within the area terminated VT, but a progressively slower VT with the same QRS configuration was induced until the area was covered by separate radiofrequency lesions. A progressive prolongation of VT cycle length might be related to a residual arrhythmogenic myocardium. Termination and slowing of the VT rate can be a hallmark of efficacy of each radiofrequency lesion.