Characterization of Ventricular Tachycardia After Left Ventricular Assist Device Implantation as Destination Therapy

Objectives This study sought to report mechanisms of ventricular tachycardia (VT) and outcomes of VT ablation in patients with a left ventricular assist device (LVAD) as destination therapy. Background Continuous flow LVAD implantation plays a growing role in the management of end-stage heart failure, and VT is common. There are limited reports of VT ablation in patients with a destination LVAD. Methods Patients with a continuous-flow LVAD referred for VT ablation from 2010 to 2016 were analyzed retrospectively. Baseline patient characteristics, procedural data, and clinical follow-up were evaluated. Arrhythmia-free survival was assessed. Results Twenty-one patients (90% male, 62 ± 10 years) underwent catheter ablation of VT at a median of 191 days (interquartile range: 55 to 403 days) after LVAD implantation (15 HeartMate II, 6 HeartWare HVAD). Five patients (24%) had termination (n = 4) or slowing (n = 1) of VT with ablation near the apical inflow cannula, and 3 (14%) had bundle-branch re-entry. Freedom from recurrent VT among surviving patients was 64% at 1 year, with overall survival 67% at 1 year for patients without arrhythmia recurrence and 29% for patients with recurrence (p = 0.049). One patient had suspected pump thrombosis within 30 days of the ablation procedure, with no other major acute complications. Conclusions In this relatively large, single-center experience of VT ablation in destination LVAD, freedom from recurrent VT and implantable cardioverter-defibrillator shocks was associated with improved 1-year survival. Bundle branch re-entry was more prevalent than anticipated, and cannula-adjacent VT was less common. This challenging population remains at risk for late pump thrombosis and mortality.