Transcatheter creation of a de novo communication across an extracardiac Fontan conduit for catheter ablation of a "left-sided" accessory pathway

Abstract

Extracardiac polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) conduits are often used in modified Fontan procedures for separating systemic and pulmonary circulations in morphological and functional single ventricles [1]. However, most arrhythmia substrates of congenital and acquired supraventricular tachycardias will then be located ‘‘left-sided’’ across the extracardiac conduit. Remote magnetic navigation not only may facilitate a retrograde approach, but may also fail to reach the arrhythmia substrate [2]. Hybrid intervention consisting of transcatheter ablation via a sternotomy approach and atriotomy incision [3] as well as catheter ablation via direct transthoracic percutaneous access [4] have been described, but appear to be associated with frequent complications. An antegrade approach via femoral access requires special techniques for traversing the stiff PTFE material, the pericardial space and the atrial muscular wall. This is the first report that describes a modified transseptal puncture technique using no more than mechanical force [5] for successful catheter ablation across an extracardiac PTFE Fontan conduit.