Radiofrequency catheter ablation of supraventricular tachycardia in infants and toddlers.
BACKGROUND
The role of radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) of supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) in infants and toddlers is still unclear.


RESULTS
From 1993 to 2006, 27 (17 males, 10 females) of 210 patients underwent RFCA at an age less than 6 years. Indications included drug-refractory SVT or tachycardia-induced cardiomyopathy. The medical records were reviewed and the patients were interviewed regarding their current status. The 27 patients underwent RFCA at a median age of 4.4 years (8 months to 5.9 years) and a median body weight of 15 kg (6.6-30 kg). The SVT was mainly atrioventricular reentry tachycardia (15/27) and multiple mechanisms in 3. One-third of them had associated congenital heart disease, and 5 underwent RFCA using only 2-3 catheters. Immediate success rate was 92.6%, with low early (3.7%) and late recurrence (7.4%) after 5.4 +/-3.7 years follow-up. Tachycardia-induced cardiomyopathy was noted in 4 and resolved in all after RFCA. Procedure-related complications included complete atrioventricular block in 1 and Bezold-Jarisch reflex in another. No other risk factors for outcomes were noted, even with low body weight.


CONCLUSIONS
The outcome of RFCA for medically refractory SVT, even associated with tachycardia-induced cardiomyopathy, in infants and toddlers is favorable.
Chiu
Shuenn-Nan
SN
Department of Pediatrics and Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC.
Lu
Chun-Wei
CW
Chang
Chi-Wei
CW
Chang
Chien-Chih
CC
Lin
Ming-Tai
MT
Lin
Jiunn-Lee
JL
Chen
Chun-An
CA
Wang
Jou-Kou
JK
Wu
Mei-Hwan
MH
D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D054537:Atrioventricular Block / Q000209:etiology; D001835:Body Weight; D009202:Cardiomyopathies / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D017115:Catheter Ablation / Q000009:adverse effects; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004351:Drug Resistance; D022062:Electrophysiologic Techniques, Cardiac; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D012008:Recurrence; D012018:Reflex; D018570:Risk Assessment; D013611:Tachycardia, Atrioventricular Nodal Reentry / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D013617:Tachycardia, Supraventricular / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents