Radiofrequency catheter ablation of frequent premature ventricular contractions using ARRAY multi-electrode balloon catheter.

BACKGROUND

The noncontact mapping system facilitates the mapping of premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) and ventricular tachycardia (VT) using a 64-electrode expandable balloon catheter (ARRAY, St. Jude Medical). The aim of this study is to analyze the results and follow-up of the PVC ablation using this system.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Prospective and consecutive patients with frequent PVCs (6,000 or more) or monomorphic VT, suspected to be originated on the right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT), were included. The balloon catheter was positioned in the RVOT. Eighteen patients, 9 women, mean age 48 years (youngest/oldest 19-65) were included. Sixteen patients presented no structural heart disease. The origin of the arrhythmia was RVOT (n = 15), right ventricular inflow tract (n = 1), and left ventricular outflow tract (n = 2). Acute success was achieved in 15 patients; in 2 patients radiofrequency was not applied due to security reasons (origin site close to left coronary artery origin). The mean follow-up was 15 months (min. 4, max. 26); 13 patients presented abolition of the arrhythmia without drugs and 1 patient required antiarrhythmic drugs for arrhythmia control (previously ineffective). As an only complication, a femoral artery-venous fistula was observed.

CONCLUSIONS

The noncontact mapping system using a multielectrode balloon allows right ventricular arrhythmia treatment with a high rate of efficacy and safety.