Advances in Catheter Ablation: Current Challenges and Future Perspectives

Dear Colleagues,

We are pleased to introduce this Special Issue focused on the clinical advancement of catheter ablation. In recent decades, catheter ablation has become a highly efficient therapy approach for individuals with arrhythmia. Cardiac catheter ablation is a technique conducted by a cardiac electrophysiologist to precisely target and treat specific regions of the heart that are causing abnormal heart rhythms. This procedure is minimally invasive, meaning it involves little incisions to the groin. During an ablation procedure, catheters are inserted into the heart, typically through the femoral vein. The catheters are directed to the precise location in the heart where the abnormal electrical signals are emerging. After reaching the intended location, the ablation catheter can administer energy to the area, intentionally inducing necrosis in the regions that have been linked to arrhythmia. In recent years, radiofrequency (RF) catheter ablation has emerged as the preferred treatment for the majority of tachyarrhythmias. Supraventricular tachycardias, such as atrioventricular node re-entry tachycardia (AVNRT) and Wolff–Parkinson–White (WPW) syndrome, have a high rate of success in arrhythmia patients, with very few complications.

By combining 3D mapping techniques with radioscopy images, magnetic resonance or computed tomography images, it becomes possible to precisely identify the anatomical margins of cardiac chambers, as well as the surrounding organs (e.g., esophagus, aorta) and blood vessels. This allows for an accurate identification of the target site for ablation.

Radiofrequency catheter ablation remains the preferred treatment for patients with AVNRT, WPW syndrome, isthmus-dependent atrial flutter, atrial tachycardia and idiopathic VT. Moreover, a growing body of research indicates that RF catheter ablation has a beneficial impact on reducing both mortality and morbidity, while simultaneously improving the quality of life for patients suffering of different types of arrhythmias.

Authors are invited to submit their research on the following topics: 

1. The underlying mechanisms of cardiac arrhythmias that can be treated with catheter ablation;
2.  The anatomical structure of the heart and its involvement in the development of arrhythmias and the approach to treating them by ablation procedures;
3. Efficient mapping and ablation techniques for arrhythmias;
4. Major complications related to catheter ablation;
5. The value and limitations of advanced technologies in the ablation process;
6. The role of imaging techniques to improve the outcomes and safety of ablation procedures.

In summary, we are confident that the materials selected for publication in this Special Issue will make a major contribution to the current debate on the purpose, value and future directions of catheter ablation as a treatment for arrhythmias. We express our gratitude to all authors for their anticipated contribution and expect that all readers will enjoy this state-of-the-art Special Issue.

Dr. Gabriel Cismaru
Dr. Raluca Tomoaia
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

• catheter ablation
• three-dimensional mapping
• arrhythmia
• wolf–parkinson–white syndrome
• atrial fibrillation