Introduction: 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.

David Žižek

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Introduction Integration of intracardiac echocardiography (ICE) and 3D electroanatomic mapping (EAM) system allows transseptal punctures (TSP) without the use of fluoroscopy. Compared to fluoroscopy, ICE provides better visualization of the anatomy relevant to TSP and early recognition of complications. The aim was to evaluate efficacy and safety of entirely ICE- guided TSPs in patients who underwent fluoroless catheter ablation of left-sided tachycardias. Methods and results Consecutive 524 adult and pediatric patients referred to our institution from July 2014 to December 2019 were analyzed. Patients with cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs) were also included. All procedures were performed with ICE-guided TSP combined with 3D EAM. Adverse events fol-lowing TSP and within 30 days of the procedure were analyzed. Altogether 949 TSPs (363 double punctures, 76.5%) were performed in 586 fluoroless ablation procedures: 451 (77%) were ablation of atrial fibrillation or atypical flutter, 75 (12.8%) of left-sided accessory pathway, 33 (5.6%) of ventricu-lar tachycardia, and 27 (4.6%) of focal atrial tachycardia. Forty-six (7.8%) procedures were performed in pediatric population and 36 procedures (6.1%) in patients with CIED. Only 2 TSPs were unsuc-cessful (2/949, 0.2%). Overall procedural complication rate was 1.9% (11/586 procedures). There was only 1 TSP related pericardial tamponade (2/949, 0.2%). In CIED patients there was 1 lead dislo-cation following TSP. Conclusion Entirely ICE-guided TSPs for different left-sided tachycardias can be safely and effectively performed in adult and pediatric population without the use of fluoroscopy. However, caution is advised in CIED patients due to possible lead dislocation risk.