Ventricular Preexcitations Syndrome Results and Follow-Up of the First 100 Consecutive Patients Subject to Radiofrequency Ablation in a Single Session

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Abstract

Background Transcatheter ablation is the elective treatment for many patients with atrioventricular reentrant tachycardia. The purpose of this study was to report the results and follow-up of radiofrequency catheter ablation in patients with preexcitation syndrome. Methods One hundred consecutive patients, 99 with 103 accessory atrioventricular pathways and one with accessory atriofascicular pathway, underwent catheter ablation with the use of radiofrequency current. In 75 patients catheter ablation was performed at the time of an initial electrophysiology test.ResultsConduction was eliminated in 86 of 103 (83.5%) atrioventricular accessory connections (86.5% of left free wall, 70% of right free wall and 79% of septal pathways), and in the atriofascicular pathway during the initial attempt. The mean total procedure time was 249 ± 75 minutes. The mean fluoroscopy time was 53 ± 37 minutes. The mean application of radiofrequency was 8 ±8. A nonfatal complication occurred in nine patients (9%).Over a mean follow-up period of 12.2 ± 7.7 months preexcitation or atrioventricular reentrant tachycardia returned in ten patients (12% of successful ablation). Conclusions Radiofrequency current is highly effective in ablating accessory pathways, with low morbidity and no mortality.