This late-breaking randomized trial, published online on April 26, 2025 in Heart Rhythm, demonstrated that using CT scan guidance for ventricular tachycardia (VT) ablation significantly shortens procedure time while maintaining a safety profile comparable to conventional methods. In essence, CT-guided ablation offers a faster, equally safe alternative for VT treatment. A discussion of the late breakers was recorded live in San Diego at Heart Rhythm 2025.

https://www.hrsonline.org/education/TheLead
https://www.heartrhythmjournal.com/article/S1547-5271(25)02182-4/fulltext

Host Disclosure(s):

J. Jacobson:
Honoraria/Speaking/Consulting: Zoll Medical, Abbott Medical, Vektor Medical
Stocks, Privately Held: Atlas 5D
Research: CardioFocus, Inc.

Contributor Disclosure(s):

T. Dickfield:

Honoraria/Speaking/Consulting: Impulse Dynamics USA
Stock Options, Privately Held: inHeart

N. Trayanova:

Honoraria/Speaking/Consulting: Medtronic Inc., Volta Medical, Catheter Precision, Mediasphere Medical, Medical Device Business Services
Research: National Institutes of Health

Left Bundle Area Pacing in Hypertrophied Hearts: An Ex Vivo Ovine Model to Study Deployment of Pacing Leads in Thick Septum describes the development of a novel ex vivo sheep heart model with induced septal hypertrophy to simulate challenging left bundle branch area pacing (LBBAP) scenarios. The study evaluates the deployment characteristics and fixation behavior of pacing leads in thickened septal tissue, aiming to improve procedural safety and lead placement strategies in patients with left ventricular hypertrophy. This model offers a valuable tool for preclinical testing and refinement of lead technologies and techniques.

https://www.hrsonline.org/education/TheLead
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40294732/

Host Disclosure(s):

D. Raja:
Nothing to disclose.

Contributor Disclosure(s):

P. Sharma:
Honoraria/Speaking/Consulting: Medtronic, Abbott, Biotronik

Join us at Heart Rhythm 2025 for the discussion of this study. Between July 2014 and June 2023, researchers tracked 641 sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) incidents in U.S. athletes aged 11–29. Overall survival was 49%, rising to 57% during exercise, and reaching 70% in game/competition settings compared to 53% during practice. Survival rates improved significantly over the nine years, yet notable racial disparities persisted: Black athletes were 37% less likely, and athletes of other non-White races 31% less likely, to survive exertional SCAs than White athletes. The authors emphasize that while improvements in emergency preparedness (CPR/AED access) likely contributed to better outcomes, targeted efforts are needed to address equity and bolster response during practices and in under-resourced communities.

https://www.hrsonline.org/education/TheLead
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0735109725053379

Host Disclosure(s):

M. Middeldorp:
Nothing to disclose.

Contributor Disclosure(s):

E. Chung:
Nothing to disclose.

R. Lampert:
Nothing to disclose.