Safety and Utility of Extra-Cardiac Vagal Stimulation in the Study and
Ablation of Supraventricular Tachycardia
Abstract
Background: The differential diagnosis of supraventricular
tachycardias(SVTs) is essential during radiofrequency(RF) ablation. The
Extracardiac Vagal Stimulation(ECVS), introduced in 2015, offers new
insights for electrophysiologic studies and ablation by allowing a
controlled vagal effect on the heart. Methods: A prospective
study of 625 patients with SVT ablation indication. ECVS was performed
using a regular electrophysiology catheter to study atrioventricular(AV)
and ventriculo-atrial(VA) conduction and their effects on tachycardia.
Baseline ECVS was performed to determine the optimal position for right
or left ECVS, near the jugular foramen. ECVS was repeated during atrial
and ventricular pacing(VP) to monitor the procedure’s progression and
ensure successful endpoints. Results: ECVS was successful in
611/625 patients(98%), 381(62.3%) had AV node reentry
tachycardia(AVNRT), and 230(37.6%) Accessory Pathway(AP), including
135(58.7%) manifest AP(WPW) and 95(41.3%) concealed AP. ECVS+VP in 33
patients with atypical AVNRT yielded VA block in 32(97%), suggesting VA
conduction solely via the AV node. In contrast, 57 patients with
concealed para-septal AP maintained VA conduction during ECVS,
confirming AP. ECVS proved to be a fast, reliable, and practical
additional EP tool: VA block indicated AVNRT, while persitent VA
conduction suggested AP. Additionally, ECVS was highly effective in
revealing and confirming successful AP ablation by demonstrating absence
of AV and VA anomalous conduction. Conclusion: ECVS was a
valuable tool in the diagnosis and ablation of SVTs. It allowed
reproducible AV and VA block through normal pathways, easily identifying
AVNRT and concealed, intermittent, or subtle AP. It was particularly
useful in complex cases involving concealed AP and atypical AVNRT
tachycardia.