title: Efficacy and safety of radiofrequency catheter ablation in the elderly.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Radiofrequency (RF) catheter ablation has not been widely undertaken in elderly patients. The aim of our study was to compare the success rate of radiofrequency ablation and the incidence of severe procedural complications in young-adult and elderly patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  We enrolled all patients undergoing radiofrequency catheter ablation procedures for supraventricular and ventricular arrhythmias at our Cardiology Department from January 2000 to December 2005. The patients were divided into two groups according to age: patients aged <70 years (group A) and those aged >or=70 years (group B). Group B was then divided into two subgroups: B1 (age 70-79 years) and B2 (age >or=80 years). We recorded the incidence of procedural complications and the long-term efficacy (mean follow-up 46 +/- 20 months).
  
  
  RESULTS
  We studied 605 patients, 69% in group A and 31% in group B (24% in subgroup B1 and 7% in B2). The prevalence of structural heart disease was higher in elderly patients than in young adults (83 vs 37%, p < 0.01). The rate of procedural complications was 1.3%; no differences emerged between groups A and B (1.2 vs 1.5%, p = NS) or among groups A, B1 and B2 (1.2 vs 1.4 vs 2%, p = NS). The success rate of catheter ablation was 91%, with no differences between the age-groups (92 vs 88%, p = NS) or among groups A, B1 and B2 (92 vs 88 vs 88%, p = NS).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Catheter ablation in elderly and very elderly patients is as effective and safe as in young-adult subjects, at least in cases which do not require left heart catheterization.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Ospedale Maggiore, l.go U. Dossena, 2, 26013, Crema, Italy.
authors.forename: Claudio
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Pedrinazzi
authors.forename: Ornella
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Durin
authors.forename: Pietro
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Agricola
authors.forename: Piergiulio
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Romagnoli
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Inama
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging; D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D001145:Arrhythmias, Cardiac / Q000532:radiotherapy* / Q000628:therapy; D006328:Cardiac Catheterization; D017115:Catheter Ablation / Q000379:methods*; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012306:Risk; D013997:Time Factors