Minimal fluoroscopy approach for right-sided supraventricular tachycardia ablation with a novel ablation technology: Insights from the multicenter CHARISMA clinical registry

J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol. 2021 May;32(5):1296-1304. doi: 10.1111/jce.15023. Epub 2021 Apr 14.

Abstract

Background: No data exist on the ability of the novel Rhythmia 3-D mapping system to minimize fluoroscopy exposure during transcatheter ablation of arrhythmias. We report data on the feasibility and safety of a minimal fluoroscopic approach using this system in supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) procedures.

Methods: Consecutive patients were enrolled in the CHARISMA registry at 12 centers. All right-sided procedures performed with the Rhythmia mapping system were analyzed. The acquired electroanatomic information was used to reconstruct 3-D cardiac geometry; fluoroscopic confirmation was used whenever deemed necessary.

Results: Three hundred twenty-five patients (mean age = 56 ± 17 years, 57% male) were included: 152 atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia, 116 atrial flutter, 41 and 16 right-sided accessory pathway and atrial tachycardia, respectively. Overall, 27 481 s of fluoroscopy were used (84.6 ± 224 s per procedure, equivalent effective dose = 1.1 ± 3.7 mSv per patient). One hundred ninety-two procedures (59.1%) were completed without the use of fluoroscopy (zero fluoroscopy, ZF). In multivariate analysis, the presence of a fellow in training (OR = 0.15, 95% CI: 0.05-0.46; p = .0008), radiofrequency application (0.99, 0.99-1.00; p = .0002), and mapping times (0.99, 0.99-1.00; p = .042) were all inversely associated with ZF approach. Acute procedural success was achieved in 97.8% of the cases (98.4 vs. 97% in the ZF vs. non-ZF group; p = .4503). During a mean of 290.7 ± 169.6 days follow-up, no major adverse events were reported, and recurrence of the primary arrhythmia was 2.5% (2.1 vs. 3% in the ZF vs. non-ZF group; p = .7206).

Conclusions: The Rhythmia mapping system permits transcatheter ablation of right-sided SVT with minimal fluoroscopy exposure. Even more, in most cases, the system enables a ZF approach, without affecting safety and efficacy.

Keywords: Rhythmia mapping system; catheter ablation; fluoroscopy reduction; low fluoro; supraventricular tachycardia.

Publication types

  • Multicenter Study

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Catheter Ablation* / adverse effects
  • Female
  • Fluoroscopy
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Registries
  • Tachycardia, Supraventricular* / diagnostic imaging
  • Tachycardia, Supraventricular* / surgery
  • Treatment Outcome