Ventricular Tachycardia Ablation as First Line Therapy: Are We There Yet?

Approximately 20% of patients in primary prevention and 45% of patients in secondary prevention receive an appropriate ICD intervention within the 2 years following ICD implantation. 5-7 In addition, VT storm, defined as 3 or more appropriate ICD therapies within a 24-hour period, may affect 4% and 20% of the patients in the primary and secondary prevention, respectively. 8,9 However, ICD shocks decrease quality of life, increase patient’s anxiety and increase the risk of nonarrhythmic mortality. 5,10-12