Outcomes of deep sedation for catheter ablation of paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia, with adaptive servo ventilation

BACKGROUND: Catheter ablation for paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia (PSVT) is an established treatment, but the effect of deep sedation on PSVT inducibility remains unclear. AIM: We sought to examine PSVT inducibility and outcomes of catheter ablation under deep sedation using adaptive servo ventilation (ASV). METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated consecutive patients who underwent catheter ablation for PSVT under deep sedation (Propofol + Dexmedetomidine) with use of ASV. Anesthetic depth was controlled with BIS™ monitoring, and phenylephrine was administered to prevent anesthesia‐induced hypotension. PSVT induction was attempted in all patients using extrastimuli at baseline, and after isoproterenol (ISP) infusion when necessary. RESULTS: PSVT was successfully induced in 145 of 147 patients, although ISP infusion was required in the majority (89%). The PSVT was atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia (AVNRT) in 77 (53%), atrioventricular reciprocating tachycardia (AVRT) in 51 (35%), and atrial tachycardia (AT) in 17 (12%). A higher ISP dose was required for AT compared to other PSVT (AVNRT: 0.06 (IQR 0.03‐0.06) vs AVRT: 0.03 (0.02‐0.06) vs AT: 0.06 (0.03‐0.12) mg/h, P = .013). More than half (51%) of the patients developed hypotension requiring phenylephrine; these patients were older. Acute success was obtained in 99% (patients with AVNRT had endpoints with single echo on ISP in 46%). Long‐term success rate was 136 of 144 (94%) (AVNRT 96%, AVRT 92%, and AT 93%). There were no complications related to deep sedation. CONCLUSIONS: Deep sedation with use of ASV is a feasible anesthesia strategy for catheter ablation of PSVT with good long‐term outcome. PSVT remains inducible if ISP is used.