Long-term results of radiofrequency catheter ablation in non-ischemic sustained ventricular tachycardia with underlying heart disease. Nonuniform arrhythmogenic substrate and mode of ablation.

This study examined 12 VTs in 8 patients who underwent radiofrequency (RF) catheter ablation for ventricular tachycardia (VT) associated with non-ischemic underlying heart diseases, and who were followed-up for more than 24 months after ablation. The site of VT origin was determined to be within a narrow site (within 1.0 x 1.0 cm) in 5 VTs (4 patients), but VT originated from a wide origin (more than 1.0 x 1.0 cm) in the other 5 VTs (3 patients). The remaining patient had two macroreentrant VTs revolving around an anatomical obstacle in both the clockwise and counterclockwise directions. Two of 5 VTs originating from a narrow site were successfully ablated by 2-3 RF applications. In VT associated with a wide origin, two perpendicular linear RF lesions with 6.0 +/- 1.8 RF applications were required to ablate the VT. Eight of the 12 VTs (66.7%) were finally ablated by RF current (30-50 watts), and they did not recur during the follow-up period of 31.2 +/- 6.5 months. An excellent long-term outcome is expected, even in VT associated with non-ischemic underlying heart disease, if VT is successfully treated by RF ablation.