Hybrid Sinus Node-Sparing Ablation in Drug-Refractory Inappropriate Sinus Tachycardia and Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome: A Novel Approach Implemented at PIM MSWiA
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1
Department of Cardiac Surgery and Transplantology, National Medical Institute of the Ministry of Interior and Administration, Warsaw, Poland, Polska
2
Thoracic Research Centre, Collegium Medicum, Nicolaus Copernicus University, Innovative Medical Forum, Bydgoszcz, Poland, Polska
3
Institute for Cardiovascular Science, CardioMedicum, Cracow, Poland, Polska
4
Centre of Clinical Cardiology and Rare Cardiovascular Diseases, National Medical Institute of the Ministry of Interior and Administration, Warsaw, Poland, Polska
5
Center of Radiological Diagnostics, National Medical Institute of the Ministry of Interior and Administration, Warsaw, Poland, Polska
6
Private Cardiology Practice, Kleczany, Chełmiec, Poland, Polska
7
Heart Rhythm Management Center, Postgraduate Program in Cardiac Electrophysiology and Pacing, Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel — Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium, Belgium
8
Cardiac Surgery Department, Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel — Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium, Belgium
Submission date: 2025-06-05
Acceptance date: 2025-10-07
Publication date: 2026-01-15
Corresponding author
Mariusz Kowalewski
Department of Cardiac Surgery and Transplantology, National Medical Institute of the Ministry of Interior and Administration, Warsaw, Poland, Polska
Zeszyty Naukowe PIM MSWiA 2025;(1)
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ABSTRACT
Inappropriate sinus tachycardia (IST) and postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) are complex autonomic tone disorders that affect predominantly young women, often leading to debilitating symptoms such as palpitations, fatigue, and exercise intolerance. Despite pharmacologic and conservative therapy, many patients remain symptomatic. Sinus node-sparing (SNS) hybrid ablation represents a novel strategy combining thoracoscopic epicardial ablation and endocardial 3D mapping. This approach is designed to selectively interrupt arrhythmogenic conduction pathways while preserving sinus node integrity. This article reviews our institutional protocol and first experience at PIM MSWiA, discusses underlying mechanisms, mapping tools, and outlines results from international studies including the HEAL-IST trial and SUSRUTA-IST registry. Hybrid SNS ablation appears to be a promising solution for refractory IST and POTS, meriting consideration among referring physicians and multidisciplinary teams.