Emergent Ablation for Ventricular Tachycardia: Predictors of Prolonged Hospitalization and Mortality.

Background: Patients with ventricular tachycardia (VT) frequently present in unstable VT and are subject to urgent/high-risk ablation procedures. Clinical predictors of prolonged hospitalization and mortality are needed for optimal management of these patients.
Objectives: This study seeks to identify factors associated with prolonged hospitalization and mortality in emergent unplanned VT ablation procedures.
Methods: Fifty consecutive patients hospitalized emergently for VT with structural heart disease who underwent catheter ablation were prospectively followed up for outcomes and complications.
Results: Of the 50 patients (mean age 67.6 ± 12.8 years), 86.0% were male, 62.0% had ischemic cardiomyopathy, and their median left ventricular ejection fraction was 28.5%. Hospital stay <7 days (median 3 days) occurred in 28 (56.0%) patients (Group 1) and >7 days (median 10 days) or death <7 days occurred in 22 (44.0%) patients (Group 2). PAINESD score and left ventricular ejection fraction were similar between the groups. Compared with Group 1, Group 2 had significantly worse NYHA functional class III or higher (25.0% vs 63.6%; P = 0.006), electrical storm (46.4% vs 77.3%; P = 0.027), and prior failed VT ablation (35.7% vs 68.2%; P = 0.023). Multivariable analysis showed that NYHA functional class III or higher and prior failed VT ablation were predictive of prolonged hospital stay. After ablation, compared with Group 1, Group 2 had worse heart failure (10.7% vs 54.5%; P = 0.001), VT recurrences (3.6% vs 68.2%; P < 0.001), and 7 deaths within 30 days.
Conclusions: Patients undergoing emergent VT ablation are at high risk for prolonged hospital stay, which is predicted by NYHA functional class III or higher and a prior failed ablation. Early VT recurrences and worsening heart failure contribute to prolonged hospitalization and a high 30-day mortality.
Competing Interests: Funding Support and Author Disclosures Dr Uetake has received support from the Mitsukoshi Health and Welfare Foundation and Fukuda Foundation for medical technology. Dr Tandri has received research support from Abbott. Dr Hasegawa has received support from the International Rotary Fellowship of Healthcare Professionals (Global Grant GG2099197 Scholarship). Dr Kurata has received a scholarship from the Japanese Heart Rhythm Society. Dr Richardson has received speaking honoraria from Medtronic and research funding from Medtronic and Abbott; and has served as a consultant for Philips and Biosense Webster. Dr Kanagasundram has received speaking honoraria from Johnson & Johnson. Dr Stevenson has received speaking honoraria from Abbott, Boston Scientific, Biotronik, Biosense Webster, and Medtronic. All other authors have reported that they have no relationships relevant to the contents of this paper to disclose.
(Copyright © 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)