Process of identification of a ventricular tachycardia (vt) active site

Abstract

An electrophysiologically guided arrhythmia ablation system for ventricular tachycardia or other arrhythmia. The system combines a system for recording the electrical activtion time of various parts of the heart for locating an active site of the arrhythmia, with a system for delivering energy for ablation of the arrhythmia. The system has the capability of processing local myocardial electrical activation data and triggering the ablation energy source when at the active site or inhibiting the release of potentially harmful energy when the device is not at an active site. The process includes identification of an active site occurs during the 20-80%, preferably 35-50%, time period of a diastolic interval. The diastolic interval is monitored by appropriate electrical connections between the heart and a monitor. A mapping device also connects to the monitor which maps for indicating an active site. A timing system connects to the monitor, indicates when an active site is located in the 20-80%, preferably 35-50%, of the diastolic interval, and also connects to a laser system for firing the laser system to ablate the active site. Other ablate energies can be utilized including RF, microwave or DC energy.