Myocardial Injury Progression after Radiofrequency Ablation in School-Age Children

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Pediatric Electrophysiology
• Medical Imaging

Background:

• Catheter ablation is a common treatment for arrhythmias.
• While safe in adults, data on pediatric patients is limited.
• Concerns exist regarding scar expansion and long-term effects in children.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the risk of myocardial injury progression after radiofrequency catheter ablation in pediatric patients.
• To evaluate potential coronary artery damage following ablation in this age group.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective study of 20 pediatric patients.
• Cardiac magnetic resonance and coronary angiography were used for follow-up.
• Evaluated myocardial fibrosis and coronary artery integrity.

Main Results:

• Median age at ablation was 15.1 years; follow-up MRI at median 21 years.
• Most common diagnoses: nodal reentry tachycardia and Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome.
• Minor ventricular myocardial fibrosis (<0.6 cm³) in 3 patients; no ventricular dysfunction or coronary lesions observed.

Conclusions:

• Radiofrequency catheter ablation in pediatric patients did not lead to increased myocardial injury progression.
• No evidence of coronary artery lesions was found post-ablation.
• The procedure appears safe regarding myocardial and coronary integrity in this population.