Introduction: Catheter ablation (CA) is an effective treatment option in patients with symptomatic arrhythmias. Ventricular myocardial extensions to aortic valve and adjunctive tissue may be a source for different arrhythmias. For these reasons aortic cusp has emerged as an important ablation target. We report a case series of CA from the aortic cusps.
Methods: We retrospectively analyzed our electrophysiology records of patients referred for ablation procedure between 2008 and 2012. We identified 29 patients who had CA from the aortic cusps for different arrhythmias. The clinical, procedural variables and follow up data are reported.
Results: Results are summarized in Table. The mean age was 30±8 years and ejection fraction was 63±4%. 16 (55%) patients had ventricular premature depolarization/ ventricular tachycardia orginating from outflow tract, 10 (35%) patients had anterior septal accessory pathways and 3 (10%) patients had atrial tachycardia. No patient had any complication related to CA including atrioventricular (AV) block. Among 10 patients who had anteroseptal accessory pathway ablation, 2 had early recurrence.
Conclusions: CA from the aortic cusps is feasable, safe and effective. Ablation from the NCC may decrease the risk of AV block.