Use of 3D mapping system for ablating an accessory pathway associated with coronary sinus diverticulum

Abstract

Background

This is a rare and challenging case of Wolff–Parkinson–White syndrome due to a posteroseptal accessory pathway located in the coronary sinus diverticulum. It is often difficult to precisely locate this type of accessory pathway, and the ablation procedure could be associated with collateral damage to the neighbouring coronary arteries.

Case Presentation

The patient was a 49-year-old female with Wolff–Parkinson–White syndrome who was referred for catheter ablation. She had had a previous unsuccessful attempt at ablation and had remained symptomatic despite drug therapy. The pre-procedural cardiac computed tomography scan revealed the presence of a diverticulum in the proximal coronary sinus. Using an advanced three-dimensional cardiac mapping system, the electroanatomic map of the diverticulum was created. The accessory pathway potential was identified within the diverticulum preceding the ventricular insertion. The accessory pathway was then successfully ablated using radiofrequency energy.

Conclusion

We have demonstrated that the advanced three-dimensional cardiac mapping system plays a very important role in guiding clinicians in order to precisely locate and safely ablate this type of challenging accessory pathway.

Background

Wolff–Parkinson–White (WPW) syndrome is effectively treated by ablating the culprit accessory pathway (AP). Although the acute success rate of AP ablation is generally considered high, the APs that are located in the posteroseptal area sometimes remain challenging. The posteroseptal space is an anatomically complex region comprised of several structures, including atrioventricular valves, the ostium of the coronary sinus (CS) and the middle cardiac vein. Rarely, posteroseptal APs are located in CS anomalies such as diverticula which makes them even more challenging to ablate effectively and safely. The CS diverticulum is a rare congenital anomaly that is described as a venous pouch located within the epicardial layers of the posterior superior process of the left ventricle, with a neck opening into the proximal of the CS [1]. The association between CS diverticulum and WPW syndrome was first described by Guiraudon et al. [1]. The wall of CS diverticulum contains muscle fibres connecting atria and ventricles that can potentially act as AP [2]. Among patients with posteroseptal APs, it has been estimated that 1.6–9% of them are located within the CS diverticulum [1, 3]. The catheter ablation of AP located in the CS diverticulum could be associated with thermal injury to the adjacent coronary artery [4].

Advanced three-dimensional cardiac mapping systems are routinely used to locate and ablate conventional APs located at atrioventricular valve annuli but the data on their role for CS diverticulum APs are limited. We present a case of CS diverticulum AP-related WPW syndrome for which we used the three-dimensional cardiac mapping system to guide us to locate and ablate the AP.

Case presentation

An otherwise healthy 49-year-old woman with a history of recurrent drug-refractory paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia and previous unsuccessful ablation attempt was referred to our Centre.

The baseline electrocardiogram (EKG) showed sinus rhythm and ventricular pre-excitation consistent with a posteroseptal AP (Fig. 1a). The pre-procedural cardiac computed tomography scan revealed the presence a diverticulum in the CS. Interestingly, she also had a persistent left-sided superior vena cava. We used Surpreme™ JSN Quadripolar diagnostic catheters to perform the electrophysiologic study and Agilis NxT Steerable sheath (Abbott, St Paul, MN, the USA) and Tacticath™ contact force ablation catheter, sensor-enabled (Abbott, St Paul, MN, the USA) to perform radiofrequency ablation guided by an advanced three-dimensional cardiac mapping system (Abbott NavX). The anatomic map of the CS diverticulum was constructed. The diverticulum was attached to the CS body just beyond the point where the middle cardiac vein branched off from the CS.

Fig. 1

a Surface EKG shows ventricular pre-excitation with negative delta wave in limb lead II consistent with posteroseptal AP. b The AP potential can be seen between atrial and ventricular electrograms (long white arrow). The disappearance of the AP potential and loss of ventricular pre-excitation during RF ablation is demonstrated. The tip of ablation catheter is shown to be in the CS diverticulum where the earliest local ventricular EGM in relation to the delta wave was detected. c Retrograde mapping of the AP during ventricular pacing. The distal ablation catheter was in the CS diverticulum. The local atrial EGM detected on ablation catheter was earlier than atrial EGM on the HIS catheter. MCV: middle cardiac vein

Because the patient had manifest pre-excitation on surface EKG and also had a documented antidromic atrioventricular re-entry tachycardia during the previous attempt at ablation, we did not induce the clinical tachycardia this time but rather focussed on locating the AP. The AP was antegradely mapped during sinus rhythm as well as retrogradely during right ventricular pacing. The AP potential was identified within the diverticulum preceding the ventricular insertion (Fig. 1b and c). This site was ablated by applying 20 watts of radiofrequency energy during which the pre-excitation immediately resolved. At 12-month follow-up, the patient remained clinically asymptomatic and had no further palpitations.

Discussion and Conclusions

The ablation of manifest posteroseptal APs located in the CS diverticulum is challenging, and associated with  a lower success rate and a higher chance of collateral injury. In order to tackle these issues, it is crucial to be able to precisely locate AP insertion sites by patiently mapping it antegradely during either sinus rhythm or atrial pacing, retrogradely during right ventricular pacing as well as trying to identify the AP potential if possible. This case report demonstrated that an advanced three-dimensional cardiac mapping system could be very useful and could facilitate the process of locating the AP and ablating it. The cardiac mapping system was used to create a detailed and accurate geometry of the CS and the diverticulum. Using colour-coded recording capability, the mapping system helped to identify the AP insertion sites accurately during pacing manoeuvres. The mapping system also minimised the total fluoroscopy time.

In conclusion, using an advanced cardiac mapping system has a very important role in precisely locating and safely ablating challenging posteroseptal APs located in the CS diverticulum.