Magnetic resonance imaging of endocardial exits from epicardial
ventricular tachycardia substrates in left ventricular nonischemic
cardiomyopathy
Abstract
Introduction: In patients with left ventricular (LV) nonischemic
cardiomyopathy and monomorphic ventricular tachycardia (VT),
midmyocardial and epicardial substrates are often involved but
endocardial structures may also be affected. Delayed enhancement –
magnetic resonance imaging (DE–MRI) was used to characterize the
substrates of predominantly epicardial VT to improve identification of
target sites for ablation. Methods and Results: 12 patients with LV
nonischemic cardiomyopathy and monomorphic VT (prior myocarditis in 9)
had a predominantly epicardial (n = 8) or epicardial-only DE-MRI
substrate (n = 4). Modest-sized endocardial involvement in predominantly
epicardial substrates was identified by DE-MRI in 8 patients. Mapping of
22 VTs was performed in 12 patients using an endo-epicardial approach in
6 patients and an endocardial-only approach in 6 patients. Endocardial
VT reentry circuit exit sites as defined by entrainment and pace mapping
criteria corresponded to endocardial breakthroughs from predominantly
epicardial DE-MRI substrates in 7 patients. The endocardial VT exits
were located at the ventricular base near the mitral annulus in 6
patients. Successful endocardial ablation of at least one VT was
accomplished in 5 patients. Epicardial ablation as a part of an
endo-epicardial approach or as epicardial-only ablation was performed in
6 patients and was successful in 4 patients. Conclusion: Endocardial
breakthroughs from predominantly epicardial DE-MRI substrates are often
located near the ventricular base in the perivalvular region and
correlate with endocardial VT reentry circuit exit sites amenable to
ablation.