title: Long-term pacemaker dependency after radiofrequency ablation of the atrioventricular junction.
abstract: This prospective study was conducted to determine the percentage of patients with long-term pacemaker dependency after successful radiofrequency ablation of the atrioventricular junction. Abrupt inhibition of the pacemaker was performed 13.5 +/- 8.1 months after ablation in 59 patients. A > or =5-second asystole was considered to indicate pacemaker dependency. Pacemaker dependency was present in 18 patients. Absence of escape rhythm immediately after ablation was strongly associated with a higher incidence of long-term pacemaker dependency. The following variables were not associated with pacemaker dependency: age, presence of cardiac disease, presence of preablation bundle branch block, number of radiofrequency applications, a bilateral approach for ablation, and continuation of antiarrhythmic therapy after ablation. We concluded that (1) long-term pacemaker dependency is present in 30.5% of the patients after successful atrioventricular junction radiofrequency ablation and (2) absence of escape rhythm immediately after ablation predicts long-term pacemaker dependency.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, University Hospital Ste-Marguerite, Marseille, France.
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Deharo
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mansourati
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Graux
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Gallay
authors.forename: X
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Thirion
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Macaluso
authors.forename: J J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Blanc
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Djiane
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000601:surgery; D001282:Atrial Flutter / Q000601:surgery; D001283:Atrioventricular Node / Q000601:surgery*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D017115:Catheter Ablation; D004562:Electrocardiography; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006327:Heart Block / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010138:Pacemaker, Artificial; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents