Zero-fluoroscopy catheter ablation of severe drug-resistant arrhythmia guided by Ensite NavX system during pregnancy: Two case reports and literature review

BACKGROUND: Cardiac arrhythmias can occur during pregnancy. Owing to radiation exposure and other uncertain risks for the mother and fetus, catheter ablation has rarely been performed and is often delayed until the postpartum period. We reported 2 pregnant women who were experiencing severe arrhythmias and were successfully ablated without fluoroscopic guidance. We also carried out a literature review of cases of pregnant women who underwent zero-fluoroscopy ablation. METHODS AND RESULTS: One woman had drug-resistant and poorly tolerated frequent premature ventricular contraction (PVC) and ventricular tachycardia (VT). The other one had persistent and hardly terminated supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) via a right accessory pathway. The 2 patients were successfully underwent zero-fluoroscopy ablation guided by Ensite NavX system. The procedure time was 42 and 71 minutes, respectively. CONCLUSION: Catheter ablation of SVT or PVC/VT in pregnant patients can be safely and effectively performed with a completely zero-fluoroscopy approach guided by the Ensite NavX system. In the case of a drug refractory, life-threatening arrhythmia during pregnancy, catheter ablation may be considered.