Safety and Efficacy of Left Atrial Endocardial Vagal Denervation Catheter Ablation for Treating the Patients With Refractory Vasovagal Syncope / 中国循环杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective: To explore the safety and efficacy of left atrial (LA) endocardial vagal denervation catheter ablation for treating the patients with refractory vasovagal syncope (VVS). Methods: A total of 57 consecutive refractory VVS patients with severe symptom and positive response to head-up tilt test (HUT) were enrolled. There were 22 male at the mean age of (43 ± 13) years. The patients had no response or couldn’t tolerate routine treatment. LA model was re-established by three-dimensional mapping system, 10 patients received high-frequency stimulation technique for ganglionated plexi (GP) ablation and 47 received regional catheter ablation at 5 anatomic sites of GP for LA endocardial vagal denervation treatment. In-operative vagal response including hypotension, sinus bradycardia or asystole were observed, the endpoint of ablation was abolition of evoked vagal relfexes. Periodical follow-up was conducted to record the syncope recurrence and to re-examine ECG and HUT in all patients. Results: There were 52/57(91.2%) patients had positive vagal response by radiofrequency application and reached the endpoint of ablation; 4 patients couldn’t receive obvious evoked vagal relfexes. During (36 ± 22) months follow-up period, there were 52 (91.2%) cases without syncope recurrence, 11 cases still having palpitation, amaurosis and dizziness as the precursors of syncope while the symptoms were much better then they were before. No complication occurred. Conclusion: LA endocardial vagal denervation catheter ablation is a safe and effective method for treating the patients with refractory VVS, it may also effectively prevent VVS recurrence.