Sinus rhythm QRS morphology reflects right ventricular activation and anatomical ventricular tachycardia isthmus conduction in repaired tetralogy of Fallot

Background: Patients with repaired tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) are at risk for ventricular tachycardia (VT) related to well-described anatomical isthmuses.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to explore QRS morphology as an indicator of anatomical isthmus conduction.

Methods: Patients with repaired TOF and complete right bundle branch block referred for transcatheter pulmonary valve replacement (PVR) or presenting with sustained VT underwent comprehensive 3-dimensional mapping in sinus rhythm. Electrocardiographic characteristics were compared to right ventricular (RV) activation and anatomical isthmus conduction properties.

Results: Twenty-two patients (19 pre-pulmonary valve replacement and 3 clinical VT) underwent comprehensive 3-dimensional mapping (median 39 years; interquartile range [IQR] 27-48 years; 12 [55%] male). Septal RV activation (median 40 ms; IQR 34-46 ms) corresponded to the nadir in lead V₁ and free wall activation (median 71 ms; IQR 64-81 ms) to the transition point in the upstroke of the R' wave. Patients with isthmus block between the pulmonary annulus and the ventricular septal defect patch and between the ventricular septal defect patch and the tricuspid annulus (when present), were more likely to demonstrate lower amplitude R' waves in lead V₁ (5.8 mV vs 9.4 mV; P = .005), QRS fragmentation in lead V₁ (15 [94%] vs 2 [13%]; P < .001), and terminal S waves in lead aVF (15 [94%] vs 6 [40%]; P < .001) than those with intact conduction. During catheter ablation, these QRS changes developed during isthmus block.

Conclusion: For patients with repaired TOF, the status of septal isthmus conduction was evident from sinus rhythm QRS morphology. Low-amplitude, fragmented R' waves in lead V₁ and terminal S waves in the inferior leads were related to septal isthmus conduction abnormalities, providing a mechanistic link between RV activation and common electrocardiographic findings.