Comparison Of Minimal Versus Zero Fluoroscopic Catheter Ablations In
Gestational Supraventricular Arrhythmias
Abstract
Introduction: Management of gestational supraventricular tachycardia
(SVT) is challenging and requires a multidisciplinary approach for
optimal management. Antiarrhythmic pharmacologic therapy has variable
efficacy and carries potential risks to both mother and fetus. Catheter
ablation during pregnancy has traditionally been considered a last
option due to procedural safety and ionizing radiation risks. Recent
advances including intracardiac echocardiography and multi-electrode
electroanatomic mapping have greatly enhanced the safety and efficacy
profile to successfully perform ablations with minimal to no fluoroscopy
even during pregnancy; however, most of the literature publications are
case reports. Though the use of fluoroscopy-guided catheter ablations
for refractory cardiac arrhythmias in pregnancy have been extensively
studied, there are still a paucity of data about the efficacy, safety,
and aggregate outcomes of purely zero-fluoroscopic ablations in
comparison to minimal fluoroscopic approaches. Methods: A literature
search was performed for catheter ablations in the past fifteen years
for gestational arrhythmias that used minimal or no fluoroscopy. Sixteen
cases describing catheter ablations with zero-fluoroscopy were compared
to twenty-four cases using minimal fluoroscopy, defined as total
documented exposure time of less than 10 minutes. Baseline
characteristics, techniques, and outcomes of both groups were compared.
Results: Analysis of both groups demonstrated that zero-fluoroscopic
approaches for treatment of gestational SVT, though underutilized, have
comparable successful outcomes without additional risk compared to
minimally fluoroscopic procedures. Utilization of electroanatomic
mapping with or without concomitant intracardiac echocardiography in the
zero-fluoroscopy group further demonstrated equal efficacy rates of
successful ablation when compared to the control group. Furthermore,
there were no reported immediate or long term periprocedural
complications in either group, including delivery outcomes. Conclusions:
Zero-fluoroscopy catheter ablation for SVT in pregnancy appears to be as
effective and safe when compared to minimal fluoroscopy ablations while
eliminating the theoretical risks of ionizing radiation.