The combination of electroanatomic mapping and minielectrodes in a series of cases of redo procedures

BACKGROUND: In patients with supraventricular tachycardia, catheter ablation is an important treatment option. However, approximately one quarter of these patients remain symptomatic, so sustainable strategies for the treatment of those patients who do not benefit from the first catheter ablation are required. METHODS: In a series of redo procedures, we investigated the combined use of an electro-anatomic mapping system and an ablation catheter with mini-electrodes. RESULTS: Catheter ablation was successful in two patients with recurrent common type atrial flutter and one patient with recurrent ectopic atrial tachycardia. In a patient with recurrent perimitral flutter, the ablation procedure had to be stopped early, due to pericardial effusion. CONCLUSION: The combination of electro-anatomic mapping and mini-electrodes might be useful, especially in the treatment of ectopic atrial tachycardias, but also in redo procedures of CTI ablations, that require not only the visualization of the tachycardia, but also the detection of a local focus or a local gap. For an optimal use of the ME ablation catheter, the generator settings should be evaluated in further studies.