Endocavitary structures in the outflow tract: anatomy and electrophysiology of the conus papillary muscles

J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol. 2014 Jan;25(1):94-8. doi: 10.1111/jce.12291. Epub 2013 Oct 10.

Abstract

Catheter ablation is an increasingly used and successful treatment choice for right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) arrhythmias. While the role of endocavitary structures and the regional morphology of the ventricular inflow tract and the right atrium as a cause for difficulty with successful ablation are well described, similar issues within the RVOT are not well understood. It is also not commonly appreciated that one of the papillary muscles is located within the proximal RVOT. We report 3 patients in which ventricular arrhythmia was targeted and ablated in the conus papillary muscle. The anatomic features, potential role of the fascicular conduction system, and unique challenges with mapping arrhythmia arising from this structure are discussed.

Keywords: Lancisi bundle; Purkinje fiber; conus papillary muscle; endocavitary structures; premature ventricular complex; right ventricular outflow tract; ventricular fibrillation; ventricular tachycardia.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Arrhythmias, Cardiac / diagnosis*
  • Arrhythmias, Cardiac / physiopathology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Papillary Muscles / anatomy & histology*
  • Papillary Muscles / physiology*
  • Ventricular Dysfunction, Right / diagnosis*
  • Ventricular Dysfunction, Right / physiopathology*