Severe aortic insufficiency after catheter ablation of refractory ventricular tachycardias via retrograde aortic approach in a patient with left ventricular assist device: a case report

This is the first report of a patient with an LVAD who underwent CA via an RA approach for VTs and subsequently developed heart failure due to severe AI that required open-heart surgery. In patients with LVADs, aortic valves may be prone to catheter-induced deformation or injury, and continuous aspiration of the LV by LVADs can lead to significant AI, requiring open-heart surgery. This study demonstrated a real case in which it was important to consider these potential risks when selecting the LV approach as well as during and after the procedures via an RA approach, especially in patients with LVADs.