The results of this multicenter study demonstrate the high acute success rate and a low complication rate of irrigated tip catheter ablation of all clinical relevant VTs in remote myocardial infarction. However, during the follow-up a relevant number of recurrences occurred.

for the CAT InvestigatorsBackground-Patients with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) and impaired left ventricular ejection fraction have an increased risk of dying suddenly. Methods and Results-Patients with recent onset of DCM (Յ9 months) and an ejection fraction Յ30% were randomly assigned to the implantation of an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) or control. The primary end point of the trial was all-cause mortality at 1 year of follow-up. The trial was terminated after the inclusion of 104 patients because the all-cause mortality rate at 1 year did not reach the expected 30% in the control group. In August 2000, the vital status of all patients was updated by contacting patients, relatives, or local registration offices. One hundred four patients were enrolled in the trial: Fifty were assigned to ICD therapy and 54 to the control group. Mean follow-up was 22.8Ϯ4.3 months, on the basis of investigators' follow-up. After 1 year, 6 patients were dead (4 in the ICD group and 2 in the control group). No sudden death occurred during the first and second years of follow-up. In August 2000, after a mean follow-up of 5.5Ϯ2.2 years, 30 deaths had occurred (13 in the ICD group and 17 in the control group). Cumulative survival was not significantly different between the two groups (93% and 80% in the control group versus 92% and 86% in the ICD group after 2 and 4 years, respectively). Conclusions-This trial did not provide evidence in favor of prophylactic ICD implantation in patients with DCM of recent onset and impaired left ventricular ejection fraction.

Background-The superior vena cava (SVC) is one of the sources of ectopies that can initiate atrial fibrillation (AF). We investigated by radiofrequency ablation the electrophysiological characteristics of the junction of the right atrium (RA) and the SVC and the feasibility of electrical disconnection of the SVC from the RA. Methods and Results-Sixteen patients with paroxysmal AF after pulmonary vein isolation underwent electroanatomic mapping at the RA-SVC junction during sinus rhythm. Mapping showed sharp potentials (SVC potentials) inside the SVC. Activation spread from the earliest SVC potential (breakthrough) to the rest of the SVC. SVC potentials were found over a large amount of the circumference, suggesting widespread muscle coverage of the SVC. Breakthroughs from the RA to SVC were located anteriorly, laterally, posteriorly, and septally in 3, 4, 10, and 6 patients, respectively. The number of breakthroughs was 1.4Ϯ0.5 per patient. Radiofrequency energy was applied with the end point of electrical disconnection. All breakthroughs were eliminated with 3.1Ϯ1.7 applications per breakthrough without complications. Conclusions-SVC potentials can be recorded inside the SVC. There are specific breakthroughs from the RA to the SVC that can be identified by electroanatomic mapping. The electrical disconnection of the SVC from the RA is feasible.