Radiofrequency catheter ablation

pp 551-558

Abstract

During the last decade, the invasive treatment of cardiac arrhythmias has become an accepted alternative in patients with drug-refractory arrhythmias. Radiofrequency catheter ablation has been shown to effectively control supra ventricular tachycardias and preexcitation syndromes by means of auriculoventricular junction ablation and accessory pathway elimination. In addition, certain froms of ventricular tachycardia have been successfully treated with this technique. This method has been proved safe, practical and has the advantage of not requiring general anesthesia during application. Analysis of long-term results, specially focussed on recurrence rates, will give us an idea of the impact this method has had on health care for patients with cardiac arrhythmias.