title: Safety of radiofrequency catheter ablation of accessory atrioventricular pathways.
abstract: The acute anatomic and valvular consequences of radiofrequency catheter ablation of accessory pathways were evaluated in 62 patients by means of serial echocardiographic examinations. Semiquantitative assessment of valvular incompetence and classification into one of four grades according to the width and the extension of the jet from the valvular orifice were carried out. Segmental wall motion abnormalities were evaluated semiquantitatively with four grades of severity (normal, hypokinesia, akinesia, or dyskinesia). New echocardiographic abnormalities were observed in five patients. One thrombus on the ventricular aspect of the mitral valve, three hemodynamically insignificant pericardial effusions, and one increase in severity of tricuspid incompetence were found 1 day after radiofrequency catheter ablation. We conclude that echocardiographic changes after radiofrequency ablation of accessory pathways are rare and of minor significance. These findings confirm the safety of the procedure.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Academic Hospital, University of Limburg, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: J T
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Metzger
authors.forename: E C
authors.initials: EC
authors.lastname: Cheriex
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Smeets
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Vanagt
authors.forename: L M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Rodriguez
authors.forename: F A
authors.initials: FA
authors.lastname: Pieters
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Weide
authors.forename: H J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Wellens
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001283:Atrioventricular Node / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D017115:Catheter Ablation / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D004452:Echocardiography / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012449:Safety; D013610:Tachycardia / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery