Extensive Preferential Pathway Ablation for the Elimination of Premature Ventricular Contractions Arising from the Right Ventricular Outflow Tract

A 76 y/o women presented with 2 different types of premature ventricular contractions (VPCs 1 and 2) arising from the right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT). Catheter ablation (CA) eliminated PVC1 at the earliest activation site (EAS), but thereafter another PVC morphology (PVC3) appeared. Small potentials preceding the local potential were broadly exhibited from the RVOT’s supero-anterior region to the EAS during PVC3. Point CA targeting such prepotentials failed. Transverse-linear CA with a line connecting sites with such pre-potentials eliminated both PVCs 3 and 2. In cases with broadly spreading preferential pathways, extensive CA might be needed to eliminate the PVCs.     

Dynamic Conduction and Repolarisation Changes in Early Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy versus Benign Outflow Tract Ectopy Demonstrated by High Density Mapping & Paced Surface ECG Analysis

Aims

The concealed phase of arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC) may initially manifest electrophysiologically. No studies have examined dynamic conduction/repolarization kinetics to distinguish benign right ventricular outflow tract ectopy (RVOT ectopy) from ARVC''s early phase. We investigated dynamic endocardial electrophysiological changes that differentiate early ARVC disease expression from RVOT ectopy.

Methods

22 ARVC (12 definite based upon family history and mutation carrier status, 10 probable) patients without right ventricular structural anomalies underwent high-density non-contact mapping of the right ventricle. These were compared to data from 14 RVOT ectopy and 12 patients with supraventricular tachycardias and normal hearts. Endocardial & surface ECG conduction and repolarization parameters were assessed during a standard S₁-S₂ restitution protocol.

Results

Definite ARVC without RV structural disease could not be clearly distinguished from RVOT ectopy during sinus rhythm or during steady state pacing. Delay in Activation Times at coupling intervals just above the ventricular effective refractory period (VERP) increased in definite ARVC (43±20 ms) more than RVOT ectopy patients (36±14 ms, p = 0.03) or Normals (25±16 ms, p = 0.008) and a progressive separation of the repolarisation time curves between groups existed. Repolarization time increases in the RVOT were also greatest in ARVC (definite ARVC: 18±20 ms; RVOT ectopy: 5±14, Normal: 1±18, p<0.05). Surface ECG correlates of these intracardiac measurements demonstrated an increase of greater than 48 ms in stimulus to surface ECG J-point pre-ERP versus steady state, with an 88% specificity and 68% sensitivity in distinguishing definite ARVC from the other groups. This technique could not distinguish patients with genetic predisposition to ARVC only (probable ARVC) from controls.

Conclusions

Significant changes in dynamic conduction and repolarization are apparent in early ARVC before detectable RV structural abnormalities, and were present to a lesser degree in probable ARVC patients. Investigation of dynamic electrophysiological parameters may be useful to identify concealed ARVC in patients without disease pedigrees by using endocardial electrogram or paced ECG parameters.     

Catheter Ablation of Idiopathic Premature Ventricular Contractions and Ventricular Tachycardias Originating from Right Ventricular Septum

Background

Idiopathic premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) and ventricular tachycardias (IVTs) originating from the subtricuspid septum and near the His bundle have been reported. However, little is known about the prevalence, distribution, electrocardiographic characteristics and the efficacy of radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) for the ventricular arrhythmias arising from the right ventricular (RV) septum. This study aimed to investigate electrocardiographic characteristics and effects of RFCA for patients with symptomatic PVCs/IVTs, originating from the different portions of the RV septum.

Methodology/Principal Findings

Characteristics of body surface electrocardiogram and electrophysiologic recordings were analyzed in 29 patients with symptomatic PVCs/IVTs originating from the RV septum. Among 581 patients with PVCs/IVTs, the incidence of ventricular arrhythmias originating from the RV septum was 5%. Twenty (69%) had PVCs/IVTs from the septal portion of the tricuspid valvular RV region (3 from superoseptum, 15 from midseptum, 2 from inferoseptum), and 9 (31%) from the septal portion of the basal RV (1 from superoseptum, 4 from midseptum, 4 from inferoseptum). There were different characteristics of ECG of PVCs/VT originating from the different portions of the RV septum. Twenty-seven of 29 patients with PVCs/IVTs arising from the RV septum were successfully ablated (93.1% acute success).

Conclusions/Significance

ECG characteristics of PVCs/VTs originating from the different portions of the RV septum are different, and can help regionalize the origin of these arrhythmias. The septal portion of the tricuspid valvular RV region was the preferential site of origin. RFCA was effective and safe for the PVCs/IVTs arising from the RV septum.     

Radiofrequency ablation of premature ventricular contractions originating from uncommon sites of right ventricle

Premature Ventricular Contraction (PVC)/ventricular tachycardia (VT) with left bundle branch block (LBBB) morphology and inferior axis has been described classically to originate from the right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT). Some uncommon sites of idiopathic ventricular arrhythmia (VA) origins have been revealed including tricuspid annulus (TA) and right ventricular (RV) inflow free wall region. We present a series of two cases who have undergone electrophysiological study and successful radiofrequency ablation of frequent monomorphic PVCs with LBBB pattern originating from relatively uncommon sites of RV – TA and RV inflow free wall region.     

TMEM43 Mutation p.S358L Alters Intercalated Disc Protein Expression and Reduces Conduction Velocity in Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy

Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC) is a myocardial disease characterized by fibro-fatty replacement of myocardium in the right ventricular free wall and frequently results in life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death. A heterozygous missense mutation in the transmembrane protein 43 (TMEM43) gene, p.S358L, has been genetically identified to cause autosomal dominant ARVC type 5 in a founder population from the island of Newfoundland, Canada. Little is known about the function of the TMEM43 protein or how it leads to the pathogenesis of ARVC. We sought to determine the distribution of TMEM43 and the effect of the p.S358L mutation on the expression and distribution of various intercalated (IC) disc proteins as well as functional effects on IC disc gap junction dye transfer and conduction velocity in cell culture. Through Western blot analysis, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), immunofluorescence (IF), and electrophysiological analysis, our results showed that the stable expression of p.S358L mutation in the HL-1 cardiac cell line resulted in decreased Zonula Occludens (ZO-1) expression and the loss of ZO-1 localization to cell-cell junctions. Junctional Plakoglobin (JUP) and α-catenin proteins were redistributed to the cytoplasm with decreased localization to cell-cell junctions. Connexin-43 (Cx43) phosphorylation was altered, and there was reduced gap junction dye transfer and conduction velocity in mutant TMEM43-transfected cells. These observations suggest that expression of the p.S358L mutant of TMEM43 found in ARVC type 5 may affect localization of proteins involved in conduction, alter gap junction function and reduce conduction velocity in cardiac tissue.     

Premature ventricular contractions of the right ventricular outflow tract: is there an incipient underlying disease? New insights from a speckle tracking echocardiography study

ContextPremature ventricular contractions (PVCs) originating in the right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) are traditionally considered idiopathic and benign. Echocardiographic conventional measurements are typically normal.AimsTo assess whether right ventricle longitudinal strain, determined by two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography, differ between RVOT PVCs patients (treated with catheter ablation) and healthy controls.MethodsWe retrospectively selected patients with PVCs from the RVOT who underwent electrophysiological study and catheter ablation between 2016 and 2019. Patients with documented structural heart disease were excluded. Transthoracic echocardiography was performed and right ventricle global longitudinal strain (RV-GLS), free wall longitudinal strain (RVFW-LS) and left ventricle global longitudinal strain (LV-GLS) were determined as well as conventional ultrasound measurements of RV and LV function.ResultsWe studied 21 patients with RVOT PVCs and 13 controls. Patients with PVCs from the RVOT had lower values of RV-GLS and RVFW-LS compared with the control group (?19.4% versus ?22.5%, P = 0.015 and ?22.1% versus ?25.5, P = 0.041, respectively). They also had lower values of LV-GLS, although still within the normal range (?19.1% versus ?20.9%, P = 0.047). Regarding RVOT PVCs patients only, RV-GLS and RVFW-LS had no correlation with the PVCs burden prior to catheter ablation and they did not differ between the patients in whom the catheter ablation was successful and those in whom it was not. RV-GLS also had a positive correlation with RVOT proximal diameter (r = 0.487, P = 0.025).ConclusionsIn this group of RVOT PVCs patients, we found worse RV longitudinal strain values (and therefore sub-clinical myocardial dysfunction) when compared to healthy controls.     

PVCs with multiple exits and single site of origin in the outflow tract: What is the mechanism?

A 40 year old man with frequent PVCs with two different morphologies was referred for catheter ablation. Although initial mapping in the RVOT revealed fragmented potentials 20ms earlier than PVC2 onset with a good pace map score, ablation at this site was unsuccessful. Subsequent mapping in the LCC/NCC junction revealed that local ventricular activation preceded QRS onset by 30 and 28 ms for PVC1 and PVC2, respectively. Altering the pacing output at this site produced QRS morphologies similar to PVC1(low output,6mA) and PVC2(high output,15mA) with better pace map scores compared to RVOT. During high-output pacing, there was an increase in stim-QRS latency with decremental conduction. Ablation at this site was successful and suppressed both PVCs.     

Verapamil Sensitive Ventricular Tachycardia Associated With A Cardiac Hemangioma In The Right Ventricular Outflow Tract

Primary tumors of the heart are rare, but they are often associated with refractory arrhythmias. Vascular tumors of the heart comprise a small minority of primary cardiac tumors. In patients with structurally normal hearts, ventricular tachycardia (VT) originating from the right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) can be sensitive to adenosine, vagal maneuvers, and calcium channel blockers. In this report, we describe a case of ventricular tachycardia originating from within a hemangioma in the RVOT that was ultimately controlled with verapamil.     

致心律失常型右室心肌病引起的心力衰竭分子标志物的筛选

目的：筛选致心律失常型右室心肌病引起心力衰竭的分子标志物。方法：从本院的心脏病组织库中挑选5例病理诊断明确和各方面资料比较齐全的致心律失常型右室心肌病引起心力衰竭的心脏病标本(来源于心脏移植的受体),与年龄、性别和种族等因素相匹配的正常对照心脏组织(来源于心脏移植的供体)进行全基因组表达芯片的比较研究。提取致心律失常型右室心肌病的左心室组织RNA,同时提取正常对照心脏相应部位的RNA。应用晶芯人类全基因组寡核苷酸微阵列基因表达谱芯片(含有人类基因35,000个),筛选致心律失常型右室心肌病引起的心力衰竭基因表达谱的改变。应用实时定量荧光反转录聚合酶链式反应(real-time RT-PCR)验证致心律失常型右室心肌病引起的心力衰竭基因表达改变的真实性和准确性。 结果：应用基因表达芯片研究方法共筛选出78个差异表达基因,其中有35个基因在致心律失常型右室心肌病引起的心力衰竭中表达升高,而另有43个基因表达降低。其中变化较多的基因属于与代谢相关的基因。对其中36个差异表达基因应用real-time RT-PCR的方法进行了验证,差异表达基因的准确性在75%,并首次报告了心钠素在致心律失常型右室心肌病引起的心力衰竭中表达明显升高。结论：本研究在世界上首次应用基因表达芯片的方法,观察了致心律失常型右室心肌病引起的心力衰竭基因表达谱的改变,为致心律失常型右室心肌病引起的心力衰竭分子机制的阐明和寻找疾病特异的分子标志物,以用于鉴别诊断、判断病情和预后及指导个性化治疗奠定了基础。     

Ventricular tachycardia in the absence of structural heart disease

In up to 10% of patients who present with ventricular tachycardia (VT), obvious structural heart disease is not identified. In such patients, causes of ventricular arrhythmia include right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) VT, extrasystoles, idiopathic left ventricular tachycardia (ILVT), idiopathic propranolol-sensitive VT (IPVT), catecholaminergic polymorphic VT (CPVT), Brugada syndrome, and long QT syndrome (LQTS). RVOT VT, ILVT, and IPVT are referred to as idiopathic VT and generally do not have a familial basis. RVOT VT and ILVT are monomorphic, whereas IPVT may be monomorphic or polymorphic. The idiopathic VTs are classified by the ventricle of origin, the response to pharmacologic agents, catecholamine dependence, and the specific morphologic features of the arrhythmia. CPVT, Brugada syndrome, and LQTS are inherited ion channelopathies. CPVT may present as bidirectional VT, polymorphic VT, or catecholaminergic ventricular fibrillation. Syncope and sudden death in Brugada syndrome are usually due to polymorphic VT. The characteristic arrhythmia of LQTS is torsades de pointes. Overall, patients with idiopathic VT have a better prognosis than do patients with ventricular arrhythmias and structural heart disease. Initial treatment approach is pharmacologic and radiofrequency ablation is curative in most patients. However, radiofrequency ablation is not useful in the management of inherited ion channelopathies. Prognosis for patients with VT secondary to ion channelopathies is variable. High-risk patients (recurrent syncope and sudden cardiac death survivors) with inherited ion channelopathies benefit from implantable cardioverter-defibrillator placement. This paper reviews the mechanism, clinical presentation, and management of VT in the absence of structural heart disease.     

Predictors of Appropriate ICD Therapy in Patients with Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy: Long Term Experience of a Tertiary Care Center

Introduction

Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC) is a rare genetically transmitted disease prone to ventricular arrhythmias. We therefore investigated the clinical, echocardiographical and electrophysiological predictors of appropriate implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) therapy in patients with ARVC.

Methods

A retrospective analysis was performed in 26 patients (median age of 40 years at diagnosis, 21 males and 5 females) with ARVC who underwent ICD implantation.

Results

Over a median (range) follow-up period of 10 (2.7, 37) years, appropriate ICD therapy for ventricular arrhythmias was documented in 12 (46%) out of 26 patients. In all patients with appropriate ICD therapy the ICD was originally inserted for secondary prevention. Median time from ICD implantation to ICD therapy was 9 months (range 3.6, 54 months). History of heart failure was a significant predictor of appropriate ICD therapy (p = 0.033). Left ventricular disease involvement (p = 0.059) and age at implantation (p = 0.063) were borderline significant predictors. Patients with syncope at time of diagnosis were significantly less likely to receive ICD therapy (p = 0.02). Invasive electrophysiological testing was not significantly associated with appropriate ICD therapy.

Conclusion

In our cohort of patients with ARVC, history of heart failure was a significant predictor of appropriate ICD therapy, whereas left ventricular involvement and age at time of ICD implantation were of borderline significance. These predictors should be tested in larger prospective cohorts to optimize ICD therapy in this rare cardiomyopathy.     

室性早搏患者射频消融术预后与起源部位的相关性

目的:探讨室性早搏(PVCs)患者射频消融术(RFCA)预后与起源部位的相关性。方法:回顾性分析2016年12月～2017年12月第二军医大学第一附属医院长海医院心血管内科收治并接受RFCA治疗的PVCs患者的临床资料,根据起源部位分为右心室组(n=58),左心室组(n=24)。记录两组RFCA手术时间、X线曝光时间及手术成功率等指标,术后随访6个月,比较两组术后心功能指标的改善情况,记录24h PVCs总数及复发情况。结果:与左心室组比较,右心室组手术时间、X线曝光时间明显延长,手术成功率明显下降(P0.05)。术后3个月,右心室组LVESD、LVEDD均明显减小,LVEF明显升高(P0.05);术后6个月,两组24h PVCs数均较术前显著降低,且右心室组下降幅度更为显著(P0.05)。术后6个月,两组各心功能指标均较术前明显改善,右心室组较术后3个月进一步改善,且明显优于左心室组(P0.05)。结论:射频消融术治疗PVCs的预后与起源部位存在一定相关性,右心室起源相对左心室起源的PVCs手术成功率更高,更有利于抑制心室重构、改善心功能。     

Radiofrequency Catheter Ablation of Idiopathic Right Ventricular Outflow Tract Arrhythmias

Idiopathic ventricular arrhythmias (VA) consist of various subtypes of VA that occur in the absence of clinically apparent structural heart disease. Affected patients account for approximately 10% of all patients referred for evaluation of ventricular tachycardia (VT). Arrhythmias arising from the outflow tract (OT) are the most common subtype of idiopathic VA and more than 70–80% of idiopathic VTs or premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) originate from the right ventricular (RV) OT. Idiopathic OT arrhythmias are thought to be caused by adenosine-sensitive, cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) mediated triggered activity and, in general, manifest at a relatively early age. Usually they present as salvos of paroxysmal ventricular ectopic beats and are rarely life-threatening. When highly symptomatic and refractory to antiarrhythmic therapy or causative for ventricular dysfunction, ablation is a recommended treatment with a high success rate and a low risk of complications.     

Calcium dysregulation increases right ventricular outflow tract arrhythmogenesis in rabbit model of chronic kidney disease

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) increases the risk of arrhythmia. The right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) is a crucial site of ventricular tachycardia (VT) origination. We hypothesize that CKD increases RVOT arrhythmogenesis through its effects on calcium dysregulation. We analysed measurements obtained using conventional microelectrodes, patch clamp, confocal microscopy, western blotting, immunohistochemical examination and lipid peroxidation for both control and CKD (induced by 150 mg/kg neomycin and 500 mg/kg cefazolin daily) rabbit RVOT tissues or cardiomyocytes. The RVOT of CKD rabbits exhibited a short action potential duration, high incidence of tachypacing (20 Hz)-induced sustained VT, and long duration of isoproterenol and tachypacing-induced sustained and non-sustained VT. Tachypacing-induced sustained and non-sustained VT in isoproterenol-treated CKD RVOT tissues were attenuated by KB-R7943 and partially inhibited by KN93 and H89. The CKD RVOT myocytes had high levels of phosphorylated CaMKII and PKA, and an increased expression of tyrosine hydroxylase-positive neural density. The CKD RVOT myocytes exhibited large levels of I_to, I_Kr, NCX and L-type calcium currents, calcium leak and malondialdehyde but low sodium current, SERCA2a activity and SR calcium content. The RVOT in CKD with oxidative stress and autonomic neuron hyperactivity exhibited calcium handling abnormalities, which contributed to the induction of VT.     

致心律失常性右心室心肌病致病蛋白的挖掘

目的:鉴定疾病蛋白对深入理解致心律失常性右心室心肌病(ARVC)致病机制至关重要。可以采用计算生物学的方法,在ARVC疾病相关网络中挖掘新的潜在的致病蛋白。方法:本文整合HPRD和BioGRID的蛋白质互作数据,获得了较为全面且真实可靠的蛋白质互作数据;通过结合文本挖掘和统计学检验筛选出ARVC种子蛋白,应用最近邻居扩增的方法,构建ARVC蛋白质互作网络(PPIN),并采用PRINCESS法则对网络中每对互作蛋白加权;最后,基于ARVC关联得分策略对网络中的每个蛋白质打分并排秩。结果:分析发现排秩前50的候选蛋白大都与ARVC关系密切,如PRKCA,CDH1,SMAD4,SMAD2,CDH5,CTNNA1,DSC1等在调节心肌收缩、细胞程序性死亡、心脏的发育过程及维持桥粒的完整性方面起重要作用。结论:我们提出的方法为鉴定与ARVC致病机制相关的新致病蛋白提供了有效的途径。     

Increased ventricular repolarization heterogeneity in patients with ventricular arrhythmia vulnerability and cardiomyopathy: a human in vivo study

Increased repolarization heterogeneity can provide the substrate for reentrant ventricular arrhythmias in animal models of cardiomyopathy. We hypothesized that ventricular repolarization heterogeneity is also greater in patients with cardiomyopathy and ventricular arrhythmia vulnerability (inducible ventricular tachycardia or positive microvolt T wave alternans, VT/TWA) compared with a similar patient population without ventricular arrhythmia vulnerability (no VT/TWA). Endocardial and epicardial repolarization heterogeneity was measured in patients with (n = 12) and without (n = 10) VT/TWA by using transvenous 26-electrode catheters placed along the anteroseptal right ventricular endocardium and left ventricular epicardium. Local activation times (AT), activation-recovery intervals (ARI), and repolarization times (RT) were measured from unipolar electrograms. Endocardial RT dispersion along the apicobasal ventricle was greater (P < 0.005) in patients with VT/TWA than in those without VT/TWA because of greater ARI dispersion (P < 0.005). AT dispersion was similar between the two groups. Epicardial RT dispersion along the apicobasal ventricle was greater (P < 0.05) in patients with VT/TWA than in those without VT/TWA because of greater ARI dispersion (P < 0.05). AT dispersion was similar between the two groups. A plot of AT as a function of ARI revealed an inverse linear relationship for no VT/TWA such that progressively later activation was associated with progressively shorter ARI. The AT-ARI relationship was nonlinear in VT/TWA. In conclusion, patients with cardiomyopathy and VT/TWA have greater endocardial and epicardial repolarization heterogeneity than those without VT/TWA without associated conduction slowing. The steep repolarization gradients in VT/TWA may provide the substrate for functional conduction block and reentrant ventricular arrhythmias.     

Mechanisms of Premature Ventricular Complexes Caused by QT Prolongation

QT prolongation, due to lengthening of the action potential duration in the ventricles, is a major risk factor of lethal ventricular arrhythmias. A widely known consequence of QT prolongation is the genesis of early afterdepolarizations (EADs), which are associated with arrhythmias through the generation of premature ventricular complexes (PVCs). However, the vast majority of the EADs observed experimentally in isolated ventricular myocytes are phase-2 EADs, and whether phase-2 EADs are mechanistically linked to PVCs in cardiac tissue remains an unanswered question. In this study, we investigate the genesis of PVCs using computer simulations with eight different ventricular action potential models of various species. Based on our results, we classify PVCs as arising from two distinct mechanisms: repolarization gradient (RG)-induced PVCs and phase-2 EAD-induced PVCs. The RG-induced PVCs are promoted by increasing RG and L-type calcium current and are insensitive to gap junction coupling. EADs are not required for this PVC mechanism. In a paced beat, a single or multiple PVCs can occur depending on the properties of the RG. In contrast, phase-2 EAD-induced PVCs occur only when the RG is small and are suppressed by increasing RG and more sensitive to gap junction coupling. Unlike with RG-induced PVCs, in each paced beat, only a single EAD-induced PVC can occur no matter how many EADs in an action potential. In the wide parameter ranges we explore, RG-induced PVCs can be observed in all models, but the EAD-induced PVCs can only be observed in five of the eight models. The links between these two distinct PVC mechanisms and arrhythmogenesis in animal experiments and clinical settings are discussed.     

In Vitro Functional Analyses of Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy-Associated Desmoglein-2-Missense Variations

Background

Although numerous sequence variants in desmoglein-2 (DSG2) have been associated with arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC), the functional impact of new sequence variations is difficult to estimate.

Methodology/Principal Findings

To test the functional consequences of DSG2-variants, we established an expression system for the extracellular domain and the full-length DSG2 using the human cell line HT1080. We established new tools to investigate ARVC-associated DSG2 variations and compared wild-type proteins and proteins with one of the five selected variations (DSG2-p.R46Q, -p.D154E, -p.D187G, -p.K294E, -p.V392I) with respect to prodomain cleavage, adhesion properties and cellular localisation.

Conclusions/Significance

The ARVC-associated DSG2-p.R46Q variation was predicted to be probably damaging by bioinformatics tools and to concern a conserved proprotein convertase cleavage site. In this study an impaired prodomain cleavage and an influence on the DSG2-properties could be demonstrated for the R46Q-variant leading to the classification of the variant as a potential gain-of-function mutant. In contrast, the variants DSG2-p.K294E and -p.V392I, which have an arguable impact on ARVC pathogenesis and are predicted to be benign, did not show functional differences to the wild-type protein in our study. Notably, the variants DSG2-p.D154E and -p.D187G, which were predicted to be damaging by bioinformatics tools, had no detectable effects on the DSG2 protein properties in our study.     

Prognostic significance of accelerated ventricular response during radiofrequency ablation of premature ventricular complexes

BackgroundAccelerated ventricular response is frequently observed during radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of premature ventricular complexes (PVCs). We hypothesized that acceleration indicates an appropriate site and adequate injury to the arrhythmogenic tissue, and sought to investigate its value in predicting the outcome.MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed RFA procedures performed for PVCs in our institution from 2011 to 2019.ResultsFifty-eight patients (29 male; age 42.7 ± 15.6 years) underwent 62 RFA procedures. The most common site was the right ventricular outflow tract (67.7%). Acute success was seen in 88.7%. Accelerated ventricular response was observed in 60.0% of the successful procedures. After a median follow-up of 14.0 months (IQR: 6.0–26.6 months), 16 patients had a recurrence. Recurrence was significantly lower in the group with acceleration than in the group without acceleration (12.5% vs. 57.1%; log-rank P < 0.001). The 1-year recurrence rate was 6.5% in the acceleration group and 41.6% in the group without acceleration. On multivariable analysis the adjusted hazard ratio was 0.17 (95% CI, 0.04–0.64; Cox regression P = 0.009). The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive, and negative predictive values of accelerated response to predict long-term success were 75.7%, 75.0%, 87.5%, and 57.2%, respectively.ConclusionsThe recurrence after PVC ablation is significantly lower when an accelerated response was observed at the successful location during RFA. This can be an additional useful marker of long-term success.     

Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy/dysplasia

Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy/dysplasia (ARVC/D) is characterized by the patchy replacement of myocardium by fatty or fibrofatty tissue. These changes lead to structural abnormalities including right ventricular enlargement and wall motion abnormalities that can be detected by echocardiography, angiography, and cine MRI. ARVC/D is a genetically heterogeneous disorder, since it has been linked to several chromosomal loci. Myocarditis may also be a contributing etiological factor. Patients are typically diagnosed during adolescence or young adulthood. Presenting symptoms are generally related to ventricular arrhythmias. Concern for the risk of sudden cardiac death may lead to the implantation of an intracardiac defibrillator. An ongoing multicenter international registry should further our understanding of this disease.