title: [Accessory pathway ablation in children: indications and results].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Radiofrequency ablation of accessory pathways (AP) has become a first-line treatment, except in young children where the indications are discussed because of radiation risks and complications of catheterization. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the indications and results of radiofrequency AP ablation in children and teenagers.
  
  
  METHODS
  Electrophysiological study (EPS) was performed in 145 patients aged from 5 to 18 years (13.5±3) with a preexcitation syndrome (PS).
  
  
  RESULTS
  AP ablation was indicated in 66 children (group 1); others represent the group I. Group I was older and less frequently asymptomatic. All children with a spontaneous malignant form had an ablation. Group 1 has a faster conduction through the AP than group 2. The induction of reentrant tachycardia (RT), atrial fibrillation and the presence of a malignant form is more common in group 1. Failures or reappearances of WPW after ablation were frequent (20, 26%) related to a younger age (15±3 vs 17±4) (<0.05). In group 2, one 18-year-old teenager with untreated RT died before ablation. Asymptomatic children are well with disappearance of PS in two. Medically treated symptomatic children are well.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  If spontaneous malignant forms, symptoms with drugs or practice of competitive sport are indications of AP ablation, it is recommended to wait for adolescence in other children.
authors.affiliation: Service de cardiologie, hôpital cardiologique, CHU de Brabois, Vandœuvre-les-Nancy, France.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Benzakin
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Brembilla-Perrot
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D017115:Catheter Ablation; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014927:Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome / Q000601:surgery*