[A new method for the treatment of supraventricular rhythm disorders]

Initial experience of His-bundle ablation is presented in 12 patients with intractable supraventricular arrhythmias which were not amenable to treatment with conventional drugs. In 8 patients His-bundle ablation resulted in total AV-block and in 2 patients significant improvement without total AV-block was achieved. During long-term follow-up (mean 5.3 months) tachycardia recurred in 1 patient with total AV-block resulting in an overall success rate of 75%. A permanent pacemaker was implanted in 10 patients. 1 patient developed deep leg vein thrombosis as a direct result of this procedure and in 2 patients there were complications due to pacemaker implantation. His-bundle ablation appears to be a promising tool in the management of intractable supraventricular tachycardia.