BACKGROUND: Electroanatomic mapping is usually required in order to obtain a precise diagnosis and guide the ablation of atrial tachycardias (ATs) after ablation for atrial fibrillation (AF). However, epicardial connections may limit the interpretation of the endocardial activation sequence as well as the efficacy of endocardial radiofrequency ablation. CASE SUMMARY: A 53-year-old man with history of AF ablation 2 years ago was admitted for ablation of a recurrent AT (cycle length 275 ms). Ultra-high-density mapping with the Rhythmia™ system revealed a challenging activation map with two focal points of early activation in the left atrium. The use of an advanced mapping software allowed the rapid reanalysis and reannotation of the activation map and suggested epicardial involvement of the Marshall bundle (MB). Subsequent ethanol infusion in the vein of Marshall (VOM) immediately terminated the tachycardia. Six months post-ablation, the patient had no recurrence of arrhythmias. DISCUSSION: This case highlights the role of novel diagnostic and treatment methods in the management of a post-AF ablation AT. By developments in cardiac mapping systems, the rapid editing of a high-density activation map and clarification of the arrhythmia origin can be facilitated overcoming the limitations of conventional techniques. Moreover, ethanol infusion in the VOM was shown to be an effective alternative method in the management of MB-related tachycardias.
BACKGROUND: Electroanatomic mapping is usually required in order to obtain a precise diagnosis and guide the ablation of atrial tachycardias (ATs) after ablation for atrial fibrillation (AF). However, epicardial connections may limit the interpretation of the endocardial activation sequence as well as the efficacy of endocardial radiofrequency ablation. CASE SUMMARY: A 53-year-old man with history of AF ablation 2 years ago was admitted for ablation of a recurrent AT (cycle length 275 ms). Ultra-high-density mapping with the Rhythmia™ system revealed a challenging activation map with two focal points of early activation in the left atrium. The use of an advanced mapping software allowed the rapid reanalysis and reannotation of the activation map and suggested epicardial involvement of the Marshall bundle (MB). Subsequent ethanol infusion in the vein of Marshall (VOM) immediately terminated the tachycardia. Six months post-ablation, the patient had no recurrence of arrhythmias. DISCUSSION: This case highlights the role of novel diagnostic and treatment methods in the management of a post-AF ablation AT. By developments in cardiac mapping systems, the rapid editing of a high-density activation map and clarification of the arrhythmia origin can be facilitated overcoming the limitations of conventional techniques. Moreover, ethanol infusion in the VOM was shown to be an effective alternative method in the management of MB-related tachycardias.
Authors: Masateru Takigawa; Claire A Martin; Nicolas Derval; Arnaud Denis; Konstantinos Vlachos; Takeshi Kitamura; Antonio Frontera; Ruairidh Martin; Ghassen Cheniti; Anna Lam; Felix Bourier; Nathaniel Thompson; Michael Wolf; Grégoire Massoulié; William Escande; Clementine Andre; Li Jun Zeng; Yosuke Nakatani; Jean-Rodolphe Roux; Josselin Duchateau; Thomas Pambrun; Frederic Sacher; Hubert Cochet; Meleze Hocini; Michel Haissaguerre; Pierre Jais Journal: Heart Rhythm Date: 2019-04-18 Impact factor: 6.343
Authors: Konstantinos Vlachos; Arnaud Denis; Masateru Takigawa; Takeshi Kitamura; Claire A Martin; Antonio Frontera; Ruairidh Martin; George Bazoukis; Felix Bourier; Ghassen Cheniti; Josselin Duchateau; Nathaniel Thompson; Gregoire Massoullie; Anna Lam; Michael Wolf; William Escande; Nicolas Klotz; Thomas Pambrun; Frederic Sacher; Meleze Hocini; Michel Haissaguerre; Pierre Jais; Nicolas Derval Journal: Heart Rhythm Date: 2019-05-22 Impact factor: 6.343
Authors: Claire A Martin; Masateru Takigawa; Ruairidh Martin; Philippe Maury; Christian Meyer; Tom Wong; Rui Shi; Parag Gajendragadkar; Antonio Frontera; Ghassen Cheniti; Nathaniel Thompson; Takeshi Kitamura; Konstantinos Vlachos; Michael Wolf; Felix Bourier; Anna Lam; Josselin Duchâteau; Grégoire Massoullié; Thomas Pambrun; Arnaud Denis; Nicolas Derval; Mélèze Hocini; Michel Haïssaguerre; Pierre Jaïs; Frédéric Sacher Journal: JACC Clin Electrophysiol Date: 2019-03-27
Authors: William W B Chik; Jacky Kit Chan; David L Ross; Jackie Wagstaff; Eddy Kizana; Aravinda Thiagalingam; Pramesh Kovoor; Stuart P Thomas Journal: Pacing Clin Electrophysiol Date: 2014-05-16 Impact factor: 1.976