Radiofrequency catheter ablation of premature ventricular contractions from the mitral annulus in patients without structural heart disease.

Introduction: We previously reported the clinical benefits of radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) of premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) from the right ventricular outflow tract or near the His-bundle, which can often deteriorate the clinical status. PVCs from the mitral valve (MA-PVCs) also often deteriorate the patients' clinical status. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of ablating MA-PVCs with RFCA from a trans-interatrial septal approach on the clinical status in symptomatic patients with frequent MA-PVCs without structural heart disease.

Methods: The frequency of PVCs per the total heart beats by 24-hours Holter monitoring and New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class in 22 patients with MA-PVCs were evaluated before and 6 months after RFCA.

Results: Procedural success was achieved in 20 (91%) of 22 patients. Of the 22 patients, in 15 (68%) and 1 (5%) patient, a successful RFCA on the left ventricular side of the MA using the trans-interatrial septal approach and trans-coronary sinus approach was achieved. Interestingly, in four (18%) patients, a successful RFCA on the left atrial (LA) side of the MA using a trans-interatrial septal approach was achieved. Ablating MA-PVCs readily improved the NYHA functional class compared to that before. A ≥0.62 peak deflection index and ≤30 years old may be one of the important predictors of successfully ablated MA-PVCs from the LA side of the MA.

Conclusions: RFCA produces clinical benefits in patients with MA-PVCs. Further, it may be necessary to initially consider a trans-interatrial septal approach to ablate these PVCs.