A Randomised Control Trial of Power Versus Temperature-controlled Irrigated Radiofrequency Ablation for the Treatment of Ventricular Tachycardia (VT)
Ventricular Tachycardia (VT) is a life threatening heart rhythm that comes from the bottom chambers of the heart (the ventricles) and is a leading cause of sudden cardiac death. The majority of patients that are at risk of VT or suffer a cardiac arrest will have an Internal Cardiac Defibrillator (ICD) in situ to treat the abnormal heart rhythm. The ICD can deliver a painful shock to restore normal heart rhythm but importantly does not treat the underlying cause. Current treatment for the prevention of recurrent VT include catheter ablation (CA) or medication. Long-term results with global 12 month VT-free survival rates with CA are around 50%. The trial is to compare 2 different types of ablation catheter that are used to cauterise small areas of unhealthy tissue within the heart that are responsible for VT: Diamond Temp (DT) and Tacticath/Tactiflex (TF). Our hypothesis is that the DT ablation catheter will provide comparable efficacy and safety for the treatment of VT as the current industry gold standard (TF).
• ≥ 18 years of age to give informed consent specific to national legal requirements.
• Subject with 1 of the following:
‣ Symptomatic VT (despite optimal medical therapy), 3 or more episodes of VT within 24 h (VT storm).
⁃ At least 3 episodes of VT requiring anti-tachycardia pacing (ATP)
⁃ At least one appropriate ICD shock.
• Referred for VT ablation by Consultant Electrophysiologist
• Subject discussed at cardiac EP MDT
• Suitable candidate for intra-cardiac mapping and ablation of arrhythmia.
• Subject agrees to comply with study procedures and be available for routine follow up visits for at least 12 months after enrolment.
• Subject is willing and able to provide written consent