Ablation of ventricular tachycardia associated with tetralogy of Fallot: demonstration of bidirectional block.

INTRODUCTION

Ventricular tachycardia is commonly seen in patients following surgical repair for tetralogy of Fallot. The technique of ablation for this arrhythmia is not well defined.

METHODS AND RESULTS

In two patients with ventricular tachycardia following surgical repair of tetralogy of Fallot, the traditional indicators for a site for ventricular tachycardia ablation did not yield cure. Based on careful mapping, the circuit was found to involve the isthmus between the outflow tract patch and the tricuspid annulus; linear radiofrequency lesions across this isthmus resulted in cure of ventricular tachycardia. Not only was the tachycardia no longer inducible, but bidirectional block at the line of ablation confirmed interruption of the reentrant circuit.

CONCLUSION

A linear radiofrequency lesion was effective in eliminating ventricular tachycardia in both patients. The demonstration of bidirectional block confirms a cure independent of inducibility of ventricular tachycardia.