Radiofrequency ablation of anomalous cardiac pathways: initial experience

AIM: To describe the initial experience of radiofrequency ablation of anomalous cardiac pathways in patients with supraventricular tachycardias. METHODS: A total of 10 patients with refractory supraventricular tachycardias mediated by anomalous cardiac pathways underwent electrophysiological assessment and attempted pathway ablation. RESULTS: Seven patients with left free wall atrioventricular pathways (two concealed) and two patients with dual atrioventricular nodal pathways had successful pathway ablations and have had no recurrence of arrhythmia. One patient with a concealed posteroseptal atrioventricular pathway was not able to be ablated. All patients tolerated the initial procedure well, but one developed pericarditis later. CONCLUSION: Radiofrequency ablation promises to be an important new technique for the management of patients with anomalous cardiac pathways and supraventricular tachycardias. Our initial experience has been favourable and comparable to other reported series with a high success rate and infrequent complications.