Hands On
Ablation above the semilunar valves: When, why, and how? Part I
In this two-part series, we discuss the anatomical basis for arrhythmias arising above the semilunar valves. In this part (part I), we describe the relevant anatomy and technique for mapping and ablation of ventricular arrhythmias arising above either the pulmonic or the aortic valve. After an initial discussion of the underlying anatomy and characteristics of the substrate targeted for ablation above the semilunar valve, an approach for safe and effective ablation of supravalvar ventricular arrhythmias is presented.Ablation above the semilunar valves: When, why, and how? Part II
In this two-part series on arrhythmias occurring above the semilunar valve, we discuss the relevant underlying anatomy and the technique for mapping and ablation above the aortic and pulmonic valve. In part I, we focused on ventricular arrhythmias, and in this paper (part II), we discuss the anatomy and present knowledge of the substrate mapped and ablated above the aortic valve for atrial tachycardia in certain unusual accessory pathways. The background anatomy of the aortic valve has been discussed in part I of this series, to which the reader is referred.How to determine and assess endpoints for left atrial ablation
Studies have demonstrated that myocardium surrounding pulmonary vein (PV) ostia plays an important role in the initiation and perpetuation of atrial fibrillation (AF).1,2 This important finding has led to the development of segmental PV ostial isolation, circumferential ablation, and isolation around the PVs using circular linear lesions guided by three-dimensional (3D) electroanatomic mapping. Substrate modification using limited linear ablation also has been demonstrated to improve the clinical outcome after PV isolation in patients with AF inducibility.
