EHRA/HRS Expert Consensus on Catheter Ablation of Ventricular Arrhythmias: Developed in a partnership with the European Heart Rhythm Association (EHRA), a Registered Branch of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC), and the Heart Rhythm Society (HRS); in collaboration with the American College of Cardiology (ACC) and the American Heart Association (AHA)

Abstract

The purpose of this Consensus Statement is to provide a state-of-the-art review of the field of catheter ablation of ventricular tachycardia (VT), and to report the findings of a Task Force, convened by the European Heart Rhythm Association (EHRA) and the Heart Rhythm Society (HRS) that was charged with defining the indications, techniques, and outcomes of this procedure. This statement summarizes the opinion of the Task Force members based on their own experience in treating patients, as well as a review of the literature. It is directed to all healthcare professionals who treat patients who are considered for catheter ablation of VT. This statement is not intended to recommend or promote catheter ablation of VT. Rather, the ultimate judgement regarding care of a particular patient must be made by the healthcare provider and the patient with consideration of the individual patient characteristics that impact on risks and benefits of the therapy. In writing a ‘consensus’ document, it is recognized that consensus does not mean that there was complete agreement among all Task Force members. We identified those aspects of VT ablation for which a true ‘consensus’ could be identified. Surveys of the entire Task Force were used to identify these areas of consensus. For the purposes of this Consensus Document, we defined a consensus as 70% or greater agreement by the members of this task force. One objective of this document is to improve patient care by summarizing the foundation of knowledge for those involved with catheter ablation of VT. All members of the Task Force, as well as peer reviewers of the document, were asked to provide disclosure statements of all relationships that might be perceived as real or potential conflicts of interest. Disclosures for the members of the task force are given in the Appendix section.