CT‐guided percutaneous epicardial access for ventricular tachycardia ablation: A proof‐of‐concept study. (27th August 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Subramanian, Muthiah; Ravilla, Vishnu V.; Yalagudri, Sachin; Saggu, Daljeet K.; Rangaswamy, Vickram Vignesh; d'Avila, Andre; Narasimhan, Calambur
• Is Part Of: Journal of cardiovascular electrophysiology. Volume 32:Number 10(2021)
• Page Start: 2665
• Page End: 2672
• Publication Date: 2021-08-27
• Subjects: collateral injury -- epicardial access -- epicardial ventricular arrhythmias -- preprocedural CT; Blood vessels -- Physiology -- Periodicals; Electrophysiology -- Periodicals; Heart -- Physiology -- Periodicals; 612.1
• DOI: 10.1111/jce.15210
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1045-3873

Abstract

Abstract: Introduction: The objective of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of preprocedural computed tomography (CT) to guide percutaneous epicardial puncture for catheter ablation of ventricular tachycardia. Methods and Results: A preprocedural CT was used to plan the site, angle, and depth of needle insertion during epicardial access in 10 consecutive patients undergoing ventricular tachycardia (VT) ablation. Adjacent structures (right ventricle, diaphragm, liver, colon, internal mammary artery) were visualized and the course of the needle was planned avoiding these structures. During epicardial access, a protractor was used to guide the angle of needle entry into the subxiphoid space. Postprocedural CT was performed to calculate the deviation between the planned and executed access and to assess for any collateral damage. Percutaneous epicardial access was obtained successfully in all the patients using anterior ( n = 4) and inferior ( n = 6) approaches. The planned site and angle of puncture was more caudal (2.9 ± 0.9 vs. 3.7 ± 0.7 cm, p = .021) and acute (61.7 ± 5.8 vs. 49.0 ± 5.4°, p = .011) for an anterior approach compared to an inferior approach, respectively. Postprocedure CT revealed minimal deviation of the puncture site (5.4 ± 1.0 mm), angle (5.4 ± 1.2°), and length of needle insertion (0.5 ± 0.2 cm). With regard to the site of entry in the pericardial space, there was a deviation of 5.9 ± 1.1, 6.1 ± 1.1, and 5.8 ± 1.4 mm in the x, y, and z dimensions, respectively. In eight patients with minimal deviation between planned and executed access, there was no collateral injury to adjacent viscera or vessels. In two patients with increased deviation of angle and length of needle insertion, there was entry through the diaphragm during inferior access. Conclusions: Utilizing pre‐procedural CT planning may aid in the success and safety of percutaneous epicardial access during VT ablation. Abstract : The use of preprocedural CT planning to avoid collateral injury during epicardial access. Preprocedural CT was used to plan the site (hollow circles), angle (A), and length (L) of epicardial puncture while avoiding collateral injury to adjacent organs and vessels (A, B). The modified puncture technique utilized these CT‐derived measurements to obtain epicardial access (C). A postprocedure CT was done to confirm the course and entry into pericardial space (solid circles) of the executed access and compare the deviation with the planned access (D) (Yellow, planned access; Red, executed access).