Radiofrequency catheter ablation of accessory pathway-mediated tachycardia is a safe and effective long-term therapy.
BACKGROUND
The primary purpose of the study was to evaluate long-term clinical results of radiofrequency catheter ablation of accessory pathway-mediated tachycardia.


METHODS
Catheter ablation was performed in 321 patients who were subsequently followed up for an average of 36 months.


RESULTS
Accessory pathway-mediated tachycardia was abolished by catheter ablation in 308 patients (96%). Right free wall (10.6%) and right posteroseptal (14.9%) accessory pathway was associated with higher failure rate than left-sided pathways (2.3%, p<0.01). Atrioventricular block occurred in two patients during ablation of anteroseptal pathway. Recurrence of accessory pathway conduction occurred in 13 (4.1%) patients, principally within the first 4 weeks after ablation procedure. Recurrence in right free wall (12.8%) or right posteroseptal (14.2%) pathways was higher than in left-sided pathways (1.8%, p<0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
Radiofrequency catheter ablation has high immediate success rate and long-term recurrence of accessory pathway conduction or tachycardia. Right free wall or right posteroseptal pathways are associated with higher incidence of initial ablation failure and short- to medium-term recurrence.
Wang
Lexin
L
School of Biomedical Sciences, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, New South Wales, Australia. lwang@csu.edu.au
Yao
Rongguo
R
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D017115:Catheter Ablation; D002648:Child; D004594:Electrophysiology; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009206:Myocardium / Q000473:pathology; D012008:Recurrence; D013611:Tachycardia, Atrioventricular Nodal Reentry / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D017211:Treatment Failure; D014927:Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*