Trans-apical catheter ablation of ventricular tachycardia in a patient with metallic aortic and mitral valves

Abstract

We present a patient with a history of heart failure and metallic aortic and mitral valves surgeries, who required ablation for a drug-refractory left ventricular tachycardia. But the metallic valves prohibited the insertion of catheters via retrograde or via trans-septal approaches. Therefore, we decided to perform catheter ablation by direct left ventricle puncture through a minithoracotomy. The arrhythmia was successfully ablated via of trans-apical approach and did not recur at six months follow-up.

Keywords: Heart valve diseases; Radiofrequency catheter ablation; Ventricular tachycardia.