title: Long-term results and learning curve for radio frequency ablation of accessory pathways.
abstract: Radio frequency (RF) catheter ablation of accessory pathways represents an interventional method in modern cardiology that has become the first-line treatment for patients with symptomatic WPW-syndrome. The aim of this study was to analyze: (1) the learning curve for the ablation procedure; (2) procedural parameters and success; and (3) personal assessment of the treatment by the patients. Learning curve analysis included 195 consecutive patients, who underwent ablation between 1991 and 1996. The follow-up survey included 65 consecutive patients. The analysis of the procedural parameters showed significant improvement after 100 cases, implying a completion of the learning curve at this point. Long-term follow-up showed a high success rate for all pathways (95.4%). All procedure parameters indicated significantly higher degree of difficulty for right free-wall and septal pathways, with lowest long-term success rate for right-sided pathways (78.6%). Personal assessment survey showed high acceptance of the treatment; the procedure was described as a significant improvement of overall quality-of-life by 92.3% of patients. The results of this study confirm the catheter ablation of accessory pathways--in particular after completion of the learning curve--as a low-risk and highly efficient treatment for symptomatic WPW-syndrome, with a high degree of patient-related acceptance.
authors.affiliation: Hospital for Cardiovascular Surgery and Cardiology Magdalena, Krapinske Toplice, Croatia.
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bernat
authors.forename: Dietrich
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Pfeiffer
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D017115:Catheter Ablation; D002648:Child; D002983:Clinical Competence; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006329:Heart Conduction System / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014927:Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome / Q000601:surgery*