Catheter ablation of a monofocal premature ventricular complex triggering idiopathic ventricular fibrillation

Heart. 2001 Jul;86(1):E3. doi: 10.1136/heart.86.1.e3.

Abstract

A 62 year old man was admitted for evaluation of recurrent episodes of syncope. A surface ECG showed frequent repetitive premature ventricular complexes of right ventricular outflow tract origin. Ventricular fibrillation was inducible by programmed electrical stimulation but otherwise cardiac evaluation was unremarkable. A diagnosis of idiopathic ventricular fibrillation was made and an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) was installed. However, spontaneous ventricular fibrillation recurred, requiring repeated ICD discharges. The ventricular fibrillation was reproducibly triggered by a single premature ventricular complex with a specific QRS morphology. Radiofrequency catheter ablation was carried out to eradicate this complex. No ventricular fibrillation has developed after this procedure, and the patient does not require drug treatment.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Catheter Ablation*
  • Defibrillators, Implantable
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Syncope / etiology
  • Syncope / surgery
  • Syncope / therapy
  • Ventricular Fibrillation / complications
  • Ventricular Fibrillation / surgery*
  • Ventricular Fibrillation / therapy