The new invasive cardiac strategy has proven to be safe and effective in nearly 500 patients with heart disease

Researchers from the Cardiology Department at Puerta del Mar Hospital and the Institute for Biomedical Research and Innovation at the University of Cádiz (INiBICA), along with other Spanish centers such as the Teknon Clinic, Hospital Clínic, and Hospital Virgen del Rocío, have published the results of this multicenter registry on ventricular tachycardia ablation in the prestigious arrhythmia journal of the American College of Cardiology (JACC EP). The study includes more than 400 patients with ventricular tachycardia and structural heart disease, the majority of whom had a history of myocardial infarction.

These patients underwent ablation of the arrhythmic substrate, which was performed during a stable heart rhythm (sinus rhythm). A technique called “scar dechanneling”—previously developed by the same group at Authors —was used. Following substrate ablation, most patients were free of inducible arrhythmias. The complication rate was very low compared with previous studies. Advanced age, obstructive pulmonary disease, ventricular dysfunction, and incomplete elimination of the arrhythmic substrate were identified as independent predictors of poorer survival.

Cardiac arrhythmias are disorders of the heart's rhythm. They are an increasingly common health problem. Although they primarily affect older adults, they can also occur in young people and even children. In some cases, these arrhythmias can be very serious and are the most common cause of sudden death.

Cardiac electrophysiology is a discipline undergoing rapid scientific and technological advancement, which is making it possible to treat heart rhythm disorders that were considered incurable just a few years ago.

The Arrhythmia Unit at Puerta del Mar Hospital treats patients with heart rhythm disorders in the province of Cádiz. After fifteen years of operation, it has treated thousands of patients. It is equipped with the latest specialized equipment for the diagnosis and invasive treatment of cardiac arrhythmias, such as electroanatomical navigation systems, intracardiac echocardiography, and cryoablation. Team , which is staffed by cardiologists specializing in cardiac electrophysiology and experienced nurses, has recently added a biomedical engineer who is an expert in cardiac signal and image processing. The incorporation of cardiac imaging techniques such as MRI and CT scans allows for more precise and personalized treatments for arrhythmias.

Referencia bibliográfica:
Fernández-Armenta J, Berruezo A. Safety and Outcomes of Ventricular Tachycardia
Substrate Ablation During Sinus Rhythm. J Am Coll Cardiol EP 2020;6:1435–48

🔗 More information: Safety and Outcomes of Ventricular Tachycardia Substrate Ablation During Sinus Rhythm