Treating Stubborn Cardiac Arrhythmias-Looking Toward the Future.

Abstract

As animals can develop significant side effects or remain refractory while on antiarrhythmic medical therapy for tachyarrhythmias, interventional therapies are progressively being explored. This review will highlight the principles and utilities of implantable cardioverter-defibrillators, electrophysiological mapping and catheter ablation, three-dimensional electroanatomical mapping, and stereotactic arrhythmia radiotherapy. In particular, three-dimensional electroanatomical mapping is emerging as an adjunct electrophysiology tool to facilitate activation, substrate, and pace mapping for intuitive analysis of complex tachyarrhythmias. Unlike antiarrhythmic medications, these modalities offer potential for decreasing risk of sudden death and even permanent termination of tachyarrhythmias.