Radiofrequency ablation of premature ventricular contractions guided by robotic magnetic navigation combined with pattern matching filter.

Background: This study's intent is to evaluate the usefulness of pattern matching filter (PMF) function combined with robotic magnetic navigation (RMN) in guiding the ablation of premature ventricular contractions (PVCs).

Hypothesis: Assume that PMF can improve the outcomes of PVCs ablation using RMN.

Methods: A retrospective analysis was completed consisting of 118 consecutive patients with PVCs who underwent radiofrequency ablation guided by RMN. According to the application of PMF, patients were divided into two groups: 20 patients underwent ablation without PMF (group A), and another 98 patients received ablation incorporating PMF (group B).

Results: Compared with group A, the procedure time (135.0 ± 28.3 min vs. 106.3 ± 37.9 min, p = 0.02) in group B was significantly decreased, while the X-ray exposure time (6.0 ± 2.6 min vs. 6.5 ± 3.6 min, p = 0.705) and dose (3.2 ± 2.4 gycm vs. 3.9 ± 2.7 gycm ，p = 0.208) had no significant difference. Group B had a more than twofold number of points acquired (66.9 ± 23.0 vs. 143.9 ± 68.3, p < 0.001) and required a shorter radiofrequency ablation time (13.2 ± 3.5 min vs. 8.1 ± 2.9 min, p < 0.001). There were no serious complications in either group. The acute success rate was similar [90.0% (18/20) vs. 87.8% (86/98), p = 1.000] in two groups, and the success rate was also similar in the long-term follow-up [83.3% (15/18) vs. 87.2% (75/86), p = 0.776].

Conclusions: The ablation of PVCs guided by RMN is safe and effective. Combined with the functional capability of PMF, both procedure time and radiofrequency ablation time were significantly decreased.