Ventricular arrhythmias are one of the leading causes of death in patients with a
prior myocardial infarction. Implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) are very
effective in the prevention of sudden cardiac death but the risk of recurrence remains
an issue since defibrillation does not alter the underlying substrate. Recurrent ICD
shocks are distressing and are associated with an increase in mortality. Catheter
ablation is an effective treatment for recurrent ventricular tachycardia in these
patients, particularly when antiarrhythmic therapy produces side effects or is ineffective.
This paper reviews the underlying mechanisms of VT in patients with a prior myocardial
infarction, and the indications, strategies and outcomes of catheter ablation.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: October 13, 2018
Identification
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Crown Copyright © 2018 Published by Elsevier B.V. on behalf of Australian and New Zealand Society of Cardiac and Thoracic Surgeons (ANZSCTS) and the Cardiac Society of Australia and New Zealand (CSANZ). All rights reserved.