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

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.