Results from the STOP-VT Study (Study to Obliterate Persistent Ventricular Tachycardia) were presented at the ESC Congress 2011 today. This is the first ever multi-center, global, prospective trial to evaluate a Remote Magnetic Navigation (RMN) system for the treatment of ischemic Ventricular Tachycardia. The multi-center study was conducted at Na Holmoce Hospital (Prague), Hospital of University of Pennsylvania (Philadelphia, USA), Methodist Hospital (Indianapolis, USA), and Herzentrum Leipzig GmbH (Germany).
Ventricular tachycardia (VT) is a potentially life-threatening arrhythmia because it may lead to ventricular fibrillation, asystole, and sudden death. Ischemic VT is one of the most challenging arrhythmias facing electrophysiologists due to complex anatomy, the sensitive nature of ventricular tissue, and the potential for lethal outcomes. Catheter ablation of VT, one of the fastest growing EP procedures globally, requires precise delivery of robust lesions for clinical success. It is believed that remote magnetic navigation (RMN) provides additional benefits during mapping since its flexibility allows the operator to reach difficult areas without creating excessive ectopy.
The key eligibility criterion was presentation with ischemic VT indicated for treatment with an irrigated magnetic catheter. The primary endpoint was elimination of VT recurrence. Thirty-three patients have been enrolled into the study. The average age was 67.8 years, predominately male (91%) with a LVEF of 32.8%. Medical treatment pre-procedure included beta-blockers (90.9%) and amiodarone (72.7%).