title: Radiofrequency Ablation to Prevent Sudden Cardiac Death.
abstract: Radiofrequency ablation may prevent or treat atrial and ventricular arrhythmias. Since some of these arrhythmias are associated with sudden cardiac death, it has been hypothesized that ablation may prevent sudden death in certain cases. We performed a literature search to better understand under which circumstances ablation may prevent sudden death and found little randomized data demonstrating the long-term effects of ablation. Current literature shows that ablation clearly prevents symptoms of arrhythmia and may reduce the incidence of sudden cardiac death in select patients, although data does not indicate improved mortality. Ongoing clinical trials are needed to better define the role of ablation in preventing sudden cardiac death.
authors: University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas.
authors: Moustapha
authors: M
authors: Atoui
authors: University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas.
authors: Sampath
authors: S
authors: Gunda
authors: University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas.
authors: Dhanunjaya
authors: D
authors: Lakkireddy
authors: St. Jude Medical, St. Paul, Minnesota.
authors: Srijoy
authors: S
authors: Mahapatra
mesh_terms: D000200:Action Potentials; D000818:Animals; D001145:Arrhythmias, Cardiac / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000401:mortality / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D017115:Catheter Ablation / Q000009:adverse effects; D016757:Death, Sudden, Cardiac / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004562:Electrocardiography; D022062:Electrophysiologic Techniques, Cardiac; D006329:Heart Conduction System / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D006339:Heart Rate; D006801:Humans; D012307:Risk Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: radiofrequency ablation; sudden cardiac death