title: Sudden asystole during radiofrequency ablation: a case report and literature review.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Radiofrequency (RF) ablation is a widely accepted and ideal therapeutic tool to cure some tachycardias. The occurrence of complications varies depending on the procedure being performed. Sudden unexpected prolonged asystole is rare for most ablation procedures and the underlying mechanisms remain unclear.
  
  
  METHODS
  A case of sudden prolonged asystole induced by RF ablation of a concealed left free wall accessory in a 59-year-old woman with recurrent tachycardia. RF application provoked progressive slowing of the sinus rhythm and then a 13.2-second period of asystole ensued. Asystole was self-healing and no complications were seen in the following follow-up.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  RF ablation may develop prolonged asystole due to vagus response caused by stimulation of unmyelinated vagal C-fibers or ganglionated plexus (GP). Reflexible asystole is reproducible and resolves independently, without affecting the procedure of RF ablation.
authors.forename: He-Sheng
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Hu
authors.forename: Mei
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Xue
authors.forename: Rui
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.forename: Xiao-jun
authors.initials: XJ
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Ming-you
authors.initials: MY
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Shandong University, 250014 Jinan, PR China. yansuhua5537@163.com.
authors.forename: Su-Hua
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Yan
mesh_terms: D017115:Catheter Ablation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006323:Heart Arrest / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged