Mechanisms of Mitral Isthmus Reconnection After Ablation With and Without Vein of Marshall Ethanol Infusion

Background: Reconnection of the mitral isthmus (MI) is common after radiofrequency ablation (RFA). Vein of Marshall ethanol infusion (VOMEI) expedites MI ablation, but long-term results are unclear.

Objectives: This study sought to determine anatomic substrates of failed MI ablation, with and without VOMEI.

Methods: Consecutive VOMEI procedures were included (n = 231; of which 140 were de novo ablations and 91 were prior RFA failures (rescue VOMEI). MI conduction mechanisms were studied with vein of Marshall (VOM) electrograms obtained with a 2-F octapolar catheter, mapping, and differential pacing.

Results: In rescue VOMEI, intact VOM electrograms showed epicardial connections, epi-endocardial dissociation, and VOM conduction in pseudo-MI block. After VOMEI, after a follow-up of 725 ± 455 days, 78 patients (33.7%) experienced recurrence. Of those, 36 (46%) had evidence of MI reconnection and 42 had other mechanisms. Of the 36 patients with MI reconnection, endocardial radiofrequency (RF) at the annular MI restored block in 16 (45%), and coronary sinus (CS) RF was required in 20 (55%). Post-VOMEI recurrence mechanisms included CS connection-dependent arrhythmias: CS-mediated perimitral flutter, CS-to-left atrium (LA) and CS ostial re-entry, and CS focal activity. Intraprocedural factors associated with MI reconnection included volume of ethanol delivered ≥4 mL (OR: 0.74; P = NS), CS ablation at VOMEI (OR: 4.05; P = 0.003), and age (OR: 1.06; P = 0.011).

Conclusions: MI reconnections after RFA are due to epicardial connections from VOM. Recurrences after VOMEI are due to incomplete annular MI RFA and CS arrhythmogenesis including CS-mediated perimitral flutter, CS-to-LA re-entry and CS focal activity. Adding complete CS disconnection to VOMEI may prevent recurrences.