Ana Leonor Costa Parreira , cardiologist with the subspecialty of electrophysiology at Hospital da Luz Lisboa and coordinator of the Electrophysiology and Pacing Laboratory at Centro Hospitalar de Setúbal, concluded, on February 15, her doctorate degree in Medicine at the Nova Medical School. Her thesis – entitled “A novel simplified approach to radiofrequency catheter ablation of idiopathic ventricular outflow tract premature ventricular contractions. From substrate analysis to results” – gained the unanimous approval of the jury, with praise and distinction. The doctorate thesis was based on research developed in the last 10 years on the treatment of idiopathic ventricular extrasystoles , from the prognostic implication to the study of the underlying substrate and results of ablation by catheter, with emphasis on the problematic of low arrhythmic load during ablation – a situation that can occur in up to 40% of cases, with a significant reduction of success in the procedure. As alternatives, Leonor Parreira explored the technique of non-invasive mapping, which was extensively validated in this doctorate thesis, as well as the development of a new simplified methodology of ablation based on substrate, which proved to be faster and more efficient than conventional ablation. Ventricular extrasystoles are anomalous supplementary heartbeats, originated in the ventricles, as opposed to regular heartbeats (with origin in the sinus node). Generally considered benign, they are asymptomatic for patients. They can result in cardiac dilation, when quite frequent, or originate more serious arrhythmias. Along her research, Leonor Parreira published 22 articles, four of them in the Portuguese Journal of Cardiology and the remainder in renowned international scientific magazines. In the conclusions of the thesis, she highlights that: It was demonstrated the presence of an anatomic and electrophysiological substrate for the idiopathic extrasystoles of the right ventricular outlet chamber, validating for the first time an electrocardiographic marker of that substrate; The new methodology of ablation based on substrate is more efficient than the present mapping technology in patients with low intra-procedural arrhythmic load; The non-invasive mapping is an accurate diagnostic tool with reproducible results, regardless of the cardiac source used for analysis. The thesis advisors were Pedro Adragão and Roberto Palma Reis. In the photo above , the new doctor and the jury: Rui Providência, Maurício Scanavacca, Luís Miguel Coelho, Leonor Parreira, José Fragata, Pedro Aragão and Lino Gonçalves (who participated in the session via videoconference).
