Introduction: Epicardial ablation is an invasive non-surgical procedure for the treatment of malignant ventricular arrhythmias (1). The procedure is performed under general anesthesia. Epicardial mapping and ablation uses the subxiphoid technique and is most often performed after failed endocardial ablation. Patient selection depends on the etiology of the disease, the location of the substrate, specific electrocardiographic criteria or the previous mapping showing the area of epicardial origin.
Case report: We present a 30-year-old male patient who was hospitalized in the Coronary care unit at the Dubrava University Hospital due to ventricular tachycardia. Ventricular tachycardia in the patient was diagnosed in 2012, when he was offered ablation or implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) implantation. In 2022, due to the deterioration of the patient’s condition, ablation was performed using an epicardial approach and 3D mapping system combined with a computerized tomography (CT) image. Before the hospital discharge, an ICD was implanted. Epicardial ablation is performed by experienced electrophysiologists in collaboration with surgeons, anesthesiologists and other medical personnel who make up a multidisciplinary team. The role of the nurse as a member of the team is of great importance. The nurse ensures the physical and mental preparation of patient pre and post-procedure.
Conclusion: Caring for such patients requires special clinical knowledge as well as broader skills in invasive cardiology and cardiac surgery.