Catheter Ablation of Ventricular Tachycardia: Making a Difference, but Not Saving Lives?

The development of ventricular tachycardia (VT) in the setting of structural heart disease (SHD) is a harbinger of doom. VT carries with it the obvious risk of sudden arrhythmic death, which is largely mitigated by implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs). Yet these devices do not prevent or reduce VT, and the further impacts of VT have become clear in the ICD era. Recurrent ICD shocks are associated with increased subsequent mortality,1 and even recurrent anti-tachycardia pacing is associated with increased morbidity.