Continuous rhythm monitoring for ventricular arrhythmias after alcohol septal ablation for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

Objective The purpose of the present study was to determine the incidence of ventricular arrhythmias before and after alcohol septal ablation (ASA). Background In patients with hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM), gradient reduction by ASA is an alternative for surgical myectomy. However, concerns exist about whether the induction of a myocardial scar during ASA may create substrate for ventricular arrhythmias. Methods The study group consisted of 44 patients in whom ASA was performed for symptomatic, drug-refractory hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Continuous rhythm monitoring was obtained by implantable loop recorder (n=30) or pacemaker (n=14). Occurrence of ventricular and supraventricular arrhythmias before and after ASA was noted, retrospectively. Results The ASA procedure was considered successful (resting gradient 30 days after ASA.