Efficacy and safety of radiofrequency catheter ablation of atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia in the elderly.
BACKGROUND
Atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia (AVNRT) is the most common regular supraventricular tachycardia in the general population as well as in elderly patients. The purpose of the study was to investigate the success and complication rate particularly regarding the induction of an atrioventricular (AV) block by radiofrequency (RF) ablation in elderly patients with and without a preexisting AV block.


RESULTS
Between February 1998 and July 2004, all patients with symptomatic AVNRT referred for slow-pathway ablation in our institution were included and divided into two groups: group 1 patients younger than 75 years (n = 508) and group 2 patients > or =75 years (n = 70). A preexisting prolonged PR interval was present in 17 (3.3%) patients of group 1 and in 26 (37%, P < 0.0001) patients of group 2. Following successful slow-pathway ablation (follow-up time group 1: 37 +/- 22, group 2: 37 +/- 24 months) no induction of an AV block was observed in group 2 but in four patients of group 1 (0.79%) a complete heart block was induced requiring a pacemaker implantation. In group 1, 15 (2.95%) patients with a recurrence of AVNRT were readmitted for a repeat ablation procedure. No recurrences occurred in group 2.


CONCLUSIONS
Despite a higher incidence of preexisting prolonged PR intervals slow-pathway ablation in elderly patients is both effective and safe and should be considered as the first line therapy also in this patient population.
Rostock
Thomas
T
University Hospital Eppendorf, Department of Cardiology, D-20246 Hamburg, Germany. rostock@uke.uni-hamburg.de
Risius
Tim
T
Ventura
Rodolfo
R
Klemm
Hanno U
HU
Weiss
Christian
C
Keitel
Anna
A
Meinertz
Thomas
T
Willems
Stephan
S
D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D017115:Catheter Ablation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D022062:Electrophysiologic Techniques, Cardiac; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012449:Safety; D013611:Tachycardia, Atrioventricular Nodal Reentry / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome