Right ventricular disarticulation procedures: the role of late potentials in the genesis of postoperative ventricular arrhythmias.

Arrhythmogenic right ventricular disease may be associated with life-threatening and drug refractory ventricular arrhythmias. Right ventricular disarticulation procedures are effective antiarrhythmic surgical approaches in selected patients. This study examined the role of late potentials in the postoperative development of new ventricular arrhythmias, and showed that right ventricular isolation is effective, probably because it destroys the tissue giving rise to late potentials. Total disarticulation is associated with fewer postoperative arrhythmias than partial isolation procedures. Total disarticulation may be the surgical approach of choice in such patients.