Contemporary management of ventricular arrhythmias in heart failure

Am J Cardiovasc Dis. 2023 Aug 15;13(4):207-221. eCollection 2023.

Abstract

Enhanced ventricular arrhythmogenesis is commonly experienced by patients in the end-stage of heart failure spectrum. A high burden of ventricular arrhythmias can affect the ventricular systolic function, lead to unexpected hospitalizations and further deteriorate the prognosis. Management of ventricular arrhythmias in this population is challenging. Implantable cardioverter-defibrillators are protective for the immediate termination of life-threatening arrhythmias but they have no impact in reducing the arrhythmic burden. Combination treatment with invasive (catheter ablation, mechanical hemodynamic support, sympathetic denervation) and noninvasive (antiarrhythmic drugs, medical therapy for heart failure, programming of implantable devices) therapies is commonly required. The aim of this review is to present the available therapeutic options, with main focus on recently published data for catheter ablation and provide a stepwise treatment approach.

Keywords: ICD programming; Ventricular arrhythmias; severe heart failure; ventricular tachycardia ablation.

Publication types

  • Review