Intramural idiopathic ventricular arrhythmias originating in the intraventricular septum: mapping and ablation.

BACKGROUND

Intramural septal idiopathic ventricular arrhythmias have not been described systematically.

METHODS AND RESULTS

In a consecutive group of 93 patients with idiopathic ventricular arrhythmias referred for ablation, the site of origin of ventricular arrhythmias was assessed by activation mapping and pace-mapping. In 7 of 93 patients (8%), an intramural focus in the interventricular septum was identified. All ventricular arrhythmias arising intramurally had a left bundle-branch block morphology with inferior axis. The intramural focus was effectively ablated from both sides of the septum in 4 patients and from within the septum in 1 patient. The ablation procedure of an intramural focus near the His bundle failed in 2 of 7 patients. ECG and mapping characteristics of the patients with intramural septal ventricular arrhythmias differentiated intramural arrhythmias from other sites of origin.

CONCLUSIONS

Idiopathic septal ventricular arrhythmias can originate from intramural foci. Activation mapping from within a perforator branch within the interventricular septum is helpful in identifying the site of origin of intramural septal arrhythmias. Ablation within the septum or from both sites of the septum may be required to eliminate the targeted arrhythmia.