Cited by 230Cardiovascular Syncope and Autonomic DisordersCardiac Arrhythmias and TreatmentsHeart Rate Variability and Autonomic Control

Catheter ablation of severe neurally meditated reflex (neurocardiogenic or vasovagal) syncope: cardioneuroablation long-term results

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Pachon M, J. C., Pachon M, E. I., Cunha Pachon, M. Z., Lobo, T. J., Pachon M, J. C., Santillana P, T. G.·2011·Europace

Abstract

AIMS: Neurally meditated reflex or neurocardiogenic or vasovagal syncope (NMS) is usually mediated by a massive vagal reflex. This study reports the long-term outcome of NMS therapy based on endocardial radiofrequency (RF) catheter ablation of the cardiac vagal nervous system aiming permanent attenuation or elimination of the cardioinhibitory reflex (cardioneuroablation). METHODS AND RESULTS: A total of 43 patients (18F/25M, 32.9 ± 15 years) without apparent cardiopathy (left ventricular ejection fraction=68.6 ± 5%) were included. All had recurrent NMS (4.7 ± 2 syncope/patient) with important cardioinhibition (pauses=13.5 ± 13 s) at head-up tilt test (HUT), normal electrocardiogram (ECG), and normal atropine test (AT). The patients underwent atrial endocardial RF ablation using spectral mapping to track the neurocardiac interface (AF Nest Mapping). The follow-up (FU) consisted of clinical evaluation, ECG (1 month/every 6 months/or symptoms), Holter (every 6 months/or symptoms), HUT (≥ 4 months/or symptoms), and AT (end of ablation and ≥ 6 months). A total of 44 ablations (48 ± 9 points/patient) were performed. Merely three cases of spontaneous syncope occurred in 45.1 ± 22 months (two vasodepressor, one undefined). Only four partial cardioinhibitory responses occurred in post-ablation HUT without pauses or asystole (sinus bradycardia). Long-term AT (21.7 ± 11 months post) was negative in 33 (76.7%, P < 0.01), partially positive in 7(16.3%), and normal in three patients only (6.9%) reflecting long-term vagal denervation (AT-Δ%HR pre 79.4% × 23.2% post). The post-ablation stress test and Holter showed no abnormalities. No major complications occurred. CONCLUSION: Endocardial RF catheter ablation of severe neurally meditated reflex syncope prevented pacemaker implantation and showed excellent long-term results in well selected patients. Despite no action in vasodepression it seems to cause enough long-term vagal reflex attenuation, eliminating the cardioinhibition, and keeping most patients asymptomatic. Indication was based on clinical symptoms, reproduction of severe cardioinhibitory syncope, and normal atropine response.

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  • Preliminary data from cardiac ganglia plexi ablation in treating selected patients with VVS are encouraging.

    “Preliminary data from cardiac ganglia plexi ablation in treating selected patients with VVS are encouraging but still insufficient to make recommendations at this time (370–372).”

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Research works printed but not linked: 4

  1. Chen-Scarabelli C, Scarabelli TM. Neurally-meditated reflex syncope. BMJ 2004; 329:336.
  2. Gallego Page JC, Segovia Cubero J, Alonso Pulpo ´n LA, Alonso Rodrı ´guez M, Salas C, Ortiz-Berrocal J. Angina pectoris in the heart transplant recipient: evi- dence of reinnervation. Rev Esp Cardiol 2001;54:799 -802.
  3. Mateos JC, Mateos EI, Lobo TJ, Pacho ´n MZ, Mateos JC, Pacho ´n DQ et al. Radio- frequency catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation guided by spectral maping of atrial fibrillation nests in sinus rhythm. Arq Bras Cardiol 2007;89:124-34, 140 -50.
  4. Pauza DH, Skripka V, Pauziene N, Stropus R. Morphology, distribution, and varia- bility of the epicardiac neural ganglionated subplexuses in the human heart. Anat Rec 2000;259:353 -82.

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Authors
Pachon M, J. C., Pachon M, E. I., Cunha Pachon, M. Z., Lobo, T. J., Pachon M, J. C., & Santillana P, T. G.
Venue
Europace
Published
2011-06-28
Volume
13
Issue
9
Pages
1231-1242
ISSN
  • 1099-5129 (ISSN-L)
  • 1532-2092
OpenAlex
W2327146098
Cited by
230
References
42
Citations by year
2026: 11 · 2025: 21 · 2024: 30 · 2023: 33 · 2022: 23 · 2021: 23 · 2020: 24 · 2019: 14 · 2018: 14 · 2017: 15 · 2016: 7 · 2015: 7 · 2014: 2 · 2013: 3 · 2012: 3
FWCI
2.62
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • EP Europace (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Scientific Electronic Library Online (São Paulo Research Foundation, Latin American and Caribbean Center on Health Sciences Information, Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico) (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Surgery › Cardiovascular Syncope and Autonomic Disorders
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine › Cardiac Arrhythmias and Treatments
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine › Heart Rate Variability and Autonomic Control
Keywords
vasovagal syncope, catheter ablation, radiofrequency ablation, vagal denervation, vagal reflex, head-up tilt, atropine test, long-term outcomes, pacemaker avoidance, syncope prevention, bradycardia, asystole, spectral mapping
MeSH terms
Adult, Anti-Arrhythmia Agents, Atropine, Bradycardia, Electrocardiography, Female, Heart, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Treatment Outcome, Catheter Ablation, Tilt-Table Test, Syncope, Vasovagal, Young Adult

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