Post-Myocardial Infarction Scar With Fat Deposition Shows Specific Electrophysiological Properties and Worse Outcome After Ventricular Tachycardia Ablation.

Background Fat deposition (FD) is part of the healing process after myocardial infarction. The characteristics of FD and its impact on the outcome in patients undergoing ventricular tachycardia (VT) ablation have not been thoroughly studied. Methods and Results We studied consecutive patients undergoing post-myocardial infarction VT ablation with pre-procedural cardiac computed tomography.

Catheter Ablation for Ventricular Tachycardia in Patients with Nonischemic Cardiomyopathy.

Although catheter ablation has been successful in reducing the recurrence of ventricular tachycardia in patients with ischemic disease, outcomes in patients with nonischemic cardiomyopathy (NICM) have not met with the same results. Success is predicated on a methodical approach to diagnosis of disease type and identification of critical substrate, and the ablation strategies used. Cardiac MRI with delayed enhancement is able to identify areas of substrate involvement, particularly in situations when conventional catheter mapping is not able to do so.

Focal Arrhythmia Ablation Determined by High-Resolution Noninvasive Maps: Multicenter Feasibility Study.

Introduction: A noninvasive 3D mapping technique (ECVUE™, CardioInsight Inc., Cleveland) maps the origin and mechanisms of various arrhythmias without catheterizing the heart.

Methods: Thirty-three patients (3 centers, mean 45.

Predicting favourable outcomes in the setting of radiofrequency catheter ablation of long-standing persistent atrial fibrillation: a pilot study assessing the value of left atrial appendage peak flow velocity.

Background: Catheter ablation is an effective and potentially curative treatment in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF).

Aim: To test the hypothesis that left atrial appendage peak flow velocity (LAV) assessed by echocardiography can accurately predict successful catheter ablation as well as favourable outcome in the setting of long-standing persistent AF.

Methods: This prospective pilot study enrolled 40 patients with long-standing persistent AF (age 60 ± 11 years; persistence of AF 4.

Epicardial Ventricular Tachycardia Ablation for Which Patients?

With the widespread use of implantable cardioverter-defibrillators, an increasing number of patients present with ventricular tachycardia (VT). Large multicentre studies have shown that ablation of VT successfully reduces recurrent VT and this procedure is being performed by an increasing number of centres. However, for a number of reasons, many patients experience VT recurrence after ablation.

Feasibility of outpatient coronary angiography with "ad hoc" angioplasty.

To assess the feasibility and safety of coronary angiography combined, where necessary, with ad hoc angioplasty in an outpatient setting; a prospective, single-center study. The first 172 patients (154 men, 59 +/- 11 years) considered at low risk for complications were enrolled for outpatient-coronary angiography with or without angioplasty via a radial approach. The inclusion criteria were clinical, not based on angiography.

Prolonged right ventricular failure after relief of cardiac tamponade.

Purpose: To report a case of severe and fatal cardiac complication following pericardiotomy to relieve a malignant tamponade. Right ventricular (RV) failure was responsible for major hypoxemia and for a persistent shunt through a patent foramen ovale. In the absence of pulmonary embolism and coronary occlusion, possible pathophysiologic mechanisms are discussed.