Ultra-high resolution mapping and ablation of accessory pathway conduction.

BACKGROUND

Detailed mapping studies of accessory pathway (AP) conduction have not been previously performed using ultra-high resolution mapping systems. We sought to evaluate the clinical utility of ultra-high resolution mapping systems and the novel "Lumipoint" algorithm in AP ablation.

METHODS

This study included 17 patients who underwent AP mapping using minielectrode basket catheters and Rhythmia systems. Ablation was performed with 4-mm irrigated-tip catheters.

RESULTS

Antegrade and retrograde AP conduction was observed in 6 and 16 patients. Atrial activation map was obtained during orthodromic tachycardia and ventricular pacing in 13 (76.5%) and 14 (82.3%) patients, and the earliest activation area was identical. Ventricular activation maps were created during atrial pacing in 3 patients. All maps showed focal activation patterns on global activation histograms, and the valley on the histogram highlighted the earliest activation area. "Complex activation" features further highlighted limited areas with continuous electrical activity during the time period in the majority. APs were located at the mitral and tricuspid annuli in 15 and 2 patients, and all were successfully eliminated with 3.4 ± 0.6 s applications. No patients had recurrences during a median follow-up of 15 [10.5-22.5] months. At successful ablation sites, the local atrial and ventricular electrogram amplitudes and ratio tended to be greater, and fusion or continuous electrical activity between the atrial and ventricular components was more frequently observed on the minielectrode than ablation catheter (17/17 vs. 12/17, p = 0.005).

CONCLUSIONS

Ultra-high resolution activation mapping and a novel algorithm facilitated the AP localization. The local electrogram characteristics differed between the minielectrode and ablation catheters.