Ablation Procedures and Techniques Flashcards

Phrenic nerve palsy is a recognized complication most associated with which ablation target?

Answer: Right-sided pulmonary vein isolation

The right phrenic nerve runs near the right pulmonary veins and right atrium, making phrenic nerve injury a recognized risk during right-sided PVI.

What does 'bidirectional block' mean as an endpoint for cavo-tricuspid isthmus ablation?

Answer: Conduction block across the isthmus confirmed in both clockwise and counterclockwise directions

Bidirectional CTI block confirms complete ablation by demonstrating that impulses cannot traverse the isthmus in either direction, preventing flutter circuit re-establishment.

Stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) for VT ablation is most appropriately considered when?

Answer: Conventional catheter ablation has failed or is not feasible

Cardiac SBRT (noninvasive radioablation) is an emerging salvage option for patients who have failed or are not candidates for conventional catheter ablation.

High-density mapping catheters improve VT ablation procedures by?

Answer: Simultaneously recording from many electrodes to create detailed scar and activation maps

High-density catheters with multiple closely spaced electrodes capture more data points per map, providing higher resolution delineation of scar borders and critical VT isthmuses.

Femoral venous access for right-sided cardiac ablation routes catheters to the heart via?

Answer: The inferior vena cava

Catheters introduced through the femoral vein pass superiorly through the inferior vena cava to enter the right atrium and right ventricle.

What constitutes the endpoint of successful accessory pathway catheter ablation?

Answer: Loss of pre-excitation on ECG and non-inducibility of AVRT

Successful accessory pathway ablation eliminates the delta wave (pre-excitation) on surface ECG and renders AVRT non-inducible during programmed stimulation.