[Efficacy of catheter radiofrequency ablation for the treatment of ventricular arrhythmia storm post cardioverter-defibrillators implantation].

Objective: To evaluate the acute and long-term effects of catheter radiofrequency ablation for the treatment of ventricular arrhythmia storm (VAS) post implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICD) implantation.

Methods: Acute and long-term effects of catheter radiofrequency ablation for the treatment of VAS post ICD implantation were retrospectively assessed in 11 patients from September 2008 to August 2011.

Results: A total of 15 ablation procedures were performed in 11 patients. Six ablation procedures were performed through epicardial approach. In 9 patients, 20 types of ventricular tachycardia (VT) (including 20% hemodynamically unstable VT) were induced during the procedures [mean cycle length (384 ± 141) ms] and polymorphic ventricular tachycardia were induced in 7 patients. The average X-ray fluoroscopy time and procedural time were (26 ± 17) min and (189 ± 60) min, respectively. Complete success, partial success, and failure rates immediately post catheter radiofrequency ablation were 46.7% (7/15), 26.7% (4/15) and 26.7% (4/15), respectively. All patients are alive at follow-up[(2.45 ± 9.6) months after the last catheter ablation] and the complete success, partial success, and failure rates during follow-up were 72.7% (8/11), 9.1% (1/11) and 18.2% (2/11), respectively.

Conclusion: VAS can be effectively treated by catheter radiofrequency ablation in patients post ICD implantation.