Focal monopolar pulsed field ablation from within the great cardiac vein for idiopathic premature ventricular contractions after failed radiofrequency ablation

Abstract

Background: Idiopathic epicardial premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) originating from the left ventricular summit are difficult to eliminate.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to describe the feasibility and procedural safety of monopolar biphasic focal pulsed field ablation (F-PFA) from within the great cardiac vein (GCV) for treatment of idiopathic epicardial PVCs.

Methods: In 4 pigs, F-PFA (Centauri, CardioFocus) was applied from within the GCV followed by macroscopic gross analysis. In 4 patients with previously failed radiofrequency ablation, electroanatomic mapping was used to guide F-PFA from within the GCV and the ventricular outflow tracts. Coronary angiography and optical coherence tomography (OCT) were performed in 2 patients.

Results: In pigs, F-PFA from within the GCV (5 mm away from the coronary arteries) resulted in myocardial lesions with a maximal depth of 4 mm, which was associated with nonobstructive transient coronary spasms. In patients, sequential delivery of F-PFA in the ventricular outflow tracts and from within the GCV eliminated the PVCs. During F-PFA delivery from within the GCV with prophylactic nitroglycerin application, coronary angiography showed no coronary spasm when F-PFA was delivered >5 mm away from the coronary artery and a transient coronary spasm without changes in a subsequent OCT, when F-PFA was delivered directly on the coronary artery. Intracardiac echocardiography and computed tomography integration was used to monitor F-PFA delivery from within the GCV. There were no immediate or short-term complications.

Conclusion: Sequential mapping-guided F-PFA from endocardial ventricular outflow tracts and from within the GCV is feasible with a favorable procedural safety profile for treatment of epicardial PVCs.

Keywords: Coronary spasm; Great cardiac vein; Idiopathic premature ventricular contractions; Left ventricular summit; Pulsed field ablation.