[Catheter ablation of accessory pathways in infants and children weighing less than 10 kg].
BACKGROUND
Low weight is considered an independent risk factor for the appearance of complications in radiofrequency catheter ablation of accessory pathways in children.


OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the results and long term follow-up of radiofrequency catheter ablation in eight infants and small children of accessory pathways of less than 10 kg in weight.


RESULTS
There were 3 boys and 5 girls with a mean age of 6.3 +/- 5 months (range, 2.5 to 17) and an average weight of 6.2 +/- 1.9 kg (range, 3.5 to 9). The eight patients underwent a single successful ablation procedure. Five left free wall pathways were ablated by transseptal approach, two right posteroseptal pathways were ablated from the inferior vena cava and a left posteroseptal was approached from the inferior vena cava into the coronary sinus. A deflectable 5F bipolar electrode catheter with a 3 mm tip was used in the first five patients and a deflectable 5F tetrapolar catheter with a 4 mm tip and temperature monitoring using closed loop control in the 3 remaining patients. An abrupt increment in impedance due to the development of a coagulum was observed in 2 procedures. One patient developed an acute ischemic complication during ablation of a left lateral accessory pathway by transseptal approach. This patient had mild pericardial effusion after the procedure. Moderate pericardial effusion was also noted in another patient after radiofrequency ablation that resolved itself spontaneously. In the remainder of the procedures there were not complications. After a mean follow-up of 32.3 +/- 22.1 months (median 42) all patients are asymptomatic without antiarrhythmic treatment.


CONCLUSIONS
a) radiofrequency catheter ablation can be performed successfully in infants and small children weighing less than 10 kg, and b) echocardiography must be performed inmediately after the procedure in infants to investigate pericardial effusion.
Benito Bartolomé
F
F
Unidad de Arritmias, Hospital Infantil La Paz, Madrid.
Sánchez Fernández-Bernal
C
C
D001835:Body Weight; D017115:Catheter Ablation / Q000009:adverse effects; D004562:Electrocardiography; D004594:Electrophysiology; D005260:Female; D006329:Heart Conduction System / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D012307:Risk Factors
Ablación con catéter de vías accesorias en lactantes y niños de peso inferior a 10 kg.