Effectiveness of a percutaneous left ventricular assist device in preventing acute hemodynamic decompensation during catheter ablation of ventricular tachycardia in advanced heart failure patients: a retrospective single-center analysis.

Neuzner, Jörg; Dietze, Thomas; Paliege, Robert; Gradaus, Rainer

INTRODUCTION Acute hemodynamic decompensation during catheter ablation of ventricular tachycardia is associated with increased mortality. We assessed the effectiveness of mechanical circulatory support using a micro-axial percutaneous assist device in preventing acute hemodynamic decompensation. METHODS AND RESULTS Twenty-six consecutive patients with structural heart disease undergoing 28 ventricular tachycardia ablations between May 2013 and October 2017 were included. All patients presenting with left ventricular ejection fraction < 25%, symptomatic heart failure and arrhythmia associated hemodynamic decompensation underwent catheter ablation with mechanical circulatory support (Impella 2.5™; Impella CP™, Abiomed, Danvers, MA, USA). Electro-anatomic mapping was performed using Ensite™ NavX™ (Abbott, Chicago, IL, USA) or Rhythmia™ (Boston Scientific, Marlborough, MA, USA) mapping systems. Mapping/ablation strategy included substrate and activation mapping/ablation. Of the 26 patients, 80 % had ischemic cardiomyopathy, mean age was 68±9 years; mean left ventricular ejection fraction 19.6±3%, mean PAAINESD score was 21±3. Mean tachycardia cycle length was 348±76 ms (range: 280-500 ms). The assist device was used pre-emptively in 25 patients and as rescue therapy in one patient. All ventricular tachycardias occurring during substrate ablation were activation mapped and ablated. The ablation procedure was accomplished in 25 0f 26 patients, acute decompensation occurred only in one patient receiving circulatory support as bail-out therapy. CONCLUSION In patients with advanced heart failure and a high probability of acute hemodynamic decompensation during catheter ablation, mechanical circulatory support prevented acute decompensation in 25 of 26 patients. Thus, mechanical circulatory support facilitates catheter ablation of unstable ventricular tachycardia in a critically ill patient population. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.