Long-Term Outcomes of Catheter Ablation for Ventricular Arrhythmias: Comparing Techniques with and without Intracardiac Echocardiography - What Matters?

Background The increasing use of intracardiac echocardiography (ICE) in the ablation of premature ventricular complexes (PVCs) has raised questions about its true efficacy and safety. Objective To evaluate the long-term outcome and periprocedural complications of PVCs ablation with and without ICE. Methods This retrospective study collected the periprocedural complications and PVC burden post ablation. The risk factors of PVC recurrence was further explored. Results The study included patients treated without ICE (control group, n=451) and with ICE (ICE group, n=155) from May 2019 to July 2022. The ICE group demonstrated significantly lower fluoroscopy times and X-ray doses. There were no major complications in the ICE group, and the difference in the occurrence of periprocedural complications between the groups was not statistically significant (p=0.072). The long-term success rates were similar for the control and ICE groups (89.6% and 87.1%, respectively). The origin of PVCs was identified as the independent factor for ablation success. Conclusions The use of ICE did not confer an advantage with regard to long-term success in PVCs ablation. To thoroughly evaluate the safety and effectiveness of ICE in PVCs ablation, a prospective, multicenter, randomized study is warranted.