Coherent mapping helps to identify the mechanism of an atrial
tachycardia after EpicorTM high-intensity focused ultrasound ablation
Abstract
Pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) is of great importance to achieve rhythm
control in patients with atrial fibrillation. Besides catheter-based
procedures, the application of high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU)
can be used for PVI. However, HIFU has been associated with rater low
efficacy rates. We report a case of a 73-year old patient, in whom HIFU
failed to maintain sinus rhythm but promoted the occurrence of a
scar-related atrial tachycardia (AT). Coherent mapping with
visualization of velocity vectors allowed the correct interpretation and
the targeted ablation of this tachycardia. The coherent mapping function
could simplify mapping of scar-related tachycardia in the future.