Long-term results of radiofrequency ablation of slow pathway in patients with atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia: single-center experience.
BACKGROUND
This study sought to evaluate the long-term recurrence rate of atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia (AVNRT) after radiofrequency catheter ablation. The clinical and electrophysiological features of patients with AVNRT and their immediate outcomes after undergoing slow pathway ablation/modification were also studied.


RESULTS
The study included 264 consecutive patients with AVNRT (mean age 46 -/+ 15 years, 143 women, 121 men) who underwent slow pathway ablation/modification using a combined electrophysiological and anatomical approach. The primary endpoint of ablation procedure was non- inducibility of the arrhythmia. The primary endpoint of the study was the recurrence of AVNRT on follow-up. Acute success was achieved in 262 (99.6%) patients. Complication rate of the ablation procedure was 2.6% and the average fluoroscopy time was 18.3 -/+ 11 minutes. The patients were followed up for a mean duration of 20 -/+ 9 months during which there was only one case of recurrence.


CONCLUSIONS
Radiofrequency ablation or modification of slow pathway is highly effective in the treatment of AVNRT. The technique has a high initial success rate and a low complication rate. The recurrence rates are extremely low (0.3%) on long-term follow-up.
Udyavar
Ameya R
AR
Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, Madras Medical Mission, Chennai, India.
Benjamin
S
S
Ravikumar
M
M
Latchumanadhas
K
K
Kumar
R Suresh
RS
Mullasari
Ajit S
AS
Pandurangi
Ulhas M
UM
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D017115:Catheter Ablation; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D022062:Electrophysiologic Techniques, Cardiac; D005260:Female; D006329:Heart Conduction System / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013611:Tachycardia, Atrioventricular Nodal Reentry / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult