Long-term outcomes of cardioneuroablation with and without extra-cardiac vagal stimulation confirmation in severe cardioinhibitory neurocardiogenic syncope.

BACKGROUND: Cardioneuroablation (CNA) is a novel therapeutic approach for functional bradyarrhythmias, specifically neurocardiogenic syncope or atrial fibrillation, achieved through endocardial radiofrequency catheter ablation of vagal innervation, obviating the need for pacemaker implantation. Originating in the nineties, the first series of CNA procedures was published in 2005. Extra-cardiac vagal stimulation (ECVS) is employed as a direct method for stepwise denervation control during CNA. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to compare the long-term follow-up outcomes of patients with severe cardioinhibitory syncope undergoing CNA with and without denervation confirmation via ECVS. METHOD: A cohort of 48 patients, predominantly female (56.3%), suffering from recurrent syncope (5.1 ± 2.5 episodes annually) that remained unresponsive to clinical and pharmacological interventions, underwent CNA, divided into two groups: ECVS and NoECVS, consisting of 34 and 14 cases, respectively. ECVS procedures were conducted with and without atrial pacing. RESULTS: Demographic characteristics, left atrial size, and ejection fraction displayed no statistically significant differences between the groups. Follow-up duration was comparable, with 29.1 ± 15 months for the ECVS group and 31.9 ± 20 months for the NoECVS group (p = .24). Notably, syncope recurrence was significantly lower in the ECVS group (two cases vs. four cases, Log Rank p = .04). Moreover, the Hazard ratio revealed a fivefold higher risk of syncope recurrence in the NoECVS group. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that concluding CNA with denervation confirmation via ECVS yields a higher success rate and a substantially reduced risk of syncope recurrence compared to procedures without ECVS confirmation.

Idiopathic VPC: Distribution Of FOCI And Tips Of Ablation.

Idiopathic Ventricular Premature Contraction (VPC) is currently more routinely referred for electrophysiology evaluation. Usually it carries a good prognosis but, when symptomatic or suspected to produce ventricular dysfunction, will require treatment. Nowadays, RF ablation has great advantages over antiarrhythmic drugs. Classically the outflow tract (right or left), with the typical inferior axis with left (eventually right) bundle brunch block like ECG morphology, is considered the most frequent site of origin for idiopathic VPC, but with the widespread of EP procedures and advancement of technology making possible to map and ablate difficult locations, it is possible to see a growing and changing population referred for idiopathic VPC ablation, displaying that, almost any region of the heart may be source of this kind of arrhythmia that can be successfully treated. A well-planned procedure, with the presumed region of origin settled and employing the current technology and knowledge (tips), will have a high chance of cure.