Results of catheter ablation of ventricular tachycardia using direct current shocks.

Thirty-three patients with recurrent ventricular tachycardia (VT) underwent catheter ablation with direct-current shocks. One to four shocks of 100-300 joules were delivered to the presumed VT exit sites as identified by endocardial mapping and pace mapping. Fifteen patients (45%) had no recurrence of symptomatic VT during a follow-up interval of 15.5 +/- 10 months (mean +/- standard deviation). Five patients experienced six nonfatal complications (new VT or ventricular fibrillation, transient neurological deficit, atrioventricular block, brachial artery thrombosis). In conclusion, catheter ablation in selected patients with recurrent VT has the potential for preventing recurrences of VT over the long-term and is relatively safe.