A 22-year-old woman in the 21st week of her first pregnancy without the history of heart disease was admitted to our department for electrophysiology study because of the documented symptomatic narrow QRS tachycardia. To prevent foetal X-ray exposure, three-dimensional (3D) electroanatomic mapping (EAM) system EnSite/NavX (St. Jude Medical) was used (Figure 1A). During the placement of catheters, we recorded a spontaneous induction of the orthodromic atrioventricular re-entrant tachycardia (AVRT) with the first atrial activation in the distal coronary sinus (Figure 1B), indicating the presence of a left accessory pathway. Transseptal puncture was performed with the aid of intracardiac echocardiography and without fluoroscopy. Radiofrequency ablation in the area of the earliest left atrial activation terminated the AVRT. Figure 1A shows a partial 3D EAM of the...

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of zero-fluoroscopy (ZF) catheter ablation (CA) for supraventricular tachycardias (SVT). Methods: 584 consecutive patients referred to our institution for CA of SVT were analysed. Patients were categorised into two groups; zero-fluoroscopy (ZF) group and conventional fluoroscopy (CF) group. The ZF group was further divided into two subgroups (adults and paediatric). Patient characteristics, procedural information, and follow-up data were compared. Results: The ZF group had a higher proportion of paediatric patients (42.2% vs 0.0%; p < 0.001), resulting in a younger age (30.9 ± 20.3 years vs 52.7 ± 16.5 years; p < 0.001) and lower BMI (22.8 ± 5.7 kg/m² vs 27.0 ± 5.4 kg/m²; p < 0.001). Procedure time was shorter in the ZF group (94.2 ± 50.4 min vs 104.0 ± 54.0 min; p = 0.002). There were no major complications and the rate of minor complications did not differ between groups (0.0% vs 0.4%; p = 0.304). Acute procedural success as well as the long-term success rate when only the index procedure was considered did not differ between groups (92.5% vs 95.4%; p = 0.155; 87.1% vs 89.2%; p = 0.422). When repeated procedures were included, the long-term success rate was higher in the ZF group (98.3% vs 93.5%; p = 0.004). The difference can be partially explained by the operators' preferences. Conclusion: The safety and efficacy of ZF procedures in adult and paediatric populations are comparable to that of CF procedures.

Catheter ablation (CA) of supraventricular tachycardias (SVTs) is conventionally performed with the aid of X-ray fluoroscopy. Usage of a three-dimensional (3D) electro-anatomical mapping (EAM) system and intracardiac echocardiography (ICE) enables zero-fluoroscopy ablation, eliminating the harmful effects of radiation. We retrospectively analyzed the feasibility, effectiveness and safety of zero-fluoroscopy radiofrequency and cryoablation of various types of SVTs in pediatric patients. Overall, in 171 consecutive patients (12.5 ± 3.9 years), 175 SVTs were diagnosed and 201 procedures were performed. The procedural success rate was 98% (193/197), or more precisely, 100% (86/86) for AVNRT, 95.8% (91/95) for AVRT, 94.1% (16/17) for AT and 100% (2/2) for AFL. No complications were recorded. Follow-up was complete in 100% (171/171) of patients. During the mean follow-up period of 488.4 ± 409.5 days, 98.2% of patients were arrhythmia-free with long-term success rates of 98.7% (78/79), 97.5% (78/80), 100% (13/13) and 100% (2/2) for AVNRT, AVRT, AT and AFL, respectively. Zero-fluoroscopy CA of various types of SVTs in the pediatric population is a feasible, effective and safe treatment option.

Background: Left bundle branch area pacing (LBBAP) is an alternative to right ventricular (RV) and biventricular (BiV) pacing in patients scheduled for pace and ablate treatment strategy. However, current delivery sheaths are designed for left-sided implantation, making the right-sided LBBAP lead implantation challenging. Case presentation: We report a case of a right-sided LBBAP approach via right subclavian vein in a heart failure patient with a persistent left superior vena cava scheduled for pace and ablate treatment of refractory atrial flutter. To enable adequate lead positioning and support for transseptal screwing, the delivery sheath was manually modified with a 90-degree curve at the right subclavian vein and superior vena cava junction to allow right-sided implantation. The distance between the reshaping point and the presumed septal region was estimated by placing the sheath on the body surface under fluoroscopy. With the reshaping of the delivery sheath, we were able to achieve LBBAP with relatively minimal torque. Radiofrequency ablation of the atrioventricular node was performed the next day and the pacing parameters remained stable in short-term follow-up. Conclusion: With the modification of currently available tools, LBBAP can be performed with the right-sided approach.

Background: Right free wall accessory pathways (AP) are difficult to treat with catheter ablation as ablation catheter (AC) instability at the tricuspid annulus often precludes successful procedure. The aim of our study was to test a novel intra-cardiac echocardiography (ICE) guided technique for AC placement. Feasibility and success rates were observed. Methods: Eight consecutive patients (aged 29 ± 21 years, 4 female) with Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome and a right free wall AP were included in the study. ICE, three-dimensional (3D) electro-anatomic mapping (EAM) system, and a steerable long sheath were used together with either an irrigated or a non-irrigated tip radio-frequency AC to achieve a “loop” manoeuvre which provided AC tip stability at the ventricular aspect of the tricuspid annulus. X-ray fluoroscopy was not used. Results: Three patients had an anterior and five had a lateral location of the right free wall AP. Procedures were successful in all patients, without recurrences during the mean follow-up of 397 ± 363 days. Average procedural duration was 90 ± 31 min. On average, 6.6 ± 5.7 ablations were needed. Average time to terminate AP conduction after the start of ablation was 4.8 ± 4.2 s. In five patients (62%) AP conduction was successfully terminated with the first ablation. There were no procedural complications. Conclusions: The novel ICE-guided approach with concomitant use of the steerable sheath and the 3D EAM system for zero-fluoroscopy mapping and ablation of the right free wall APs proved feasible and resulted in excellent acute and long-term outcomes.