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Updated: May 23, 2026

Robotic Ablation of Atrial Fibrillation
Published on: May 29, 2015
Radiofrequency Catheter Ablation for Arrhythmia-induced Cardiomyopathy in Infants: A Case Series and Literature
Xuan Li1, Wenjuan Shu1, Miao Hou1
1Department of Cardiology, Children's Hospital of Soochow University Suzhou, China.
Insights
Radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) effectively treats infants with arrhythmia-induced cardiomyopathy. This procedure safely restored normal heart function and size in all infants studied.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Cardiology
- Electrophysiology
- Cardiac Surgery
Background:
- Radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) is a standard treatment for pediatric arrhythmias in children over 15 kg.
- Its efficacy in infants with arrhythmia-induced cardiomyopathy is less defined.
- Arrhythmia-induced cardiomyopathy in infants often presents with heart failure and cardiac enlargement.
Abstract:
Radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) is an established treatment for paediatric arrhythmias in children weighing >15 kg, yet its role in infants with arrhythmia-induced cardiomyopathy remains less defined. This case series evaluates the efficacy and safety of RFCA in four infants (aged ≤1 year) with arrhythmia-induced cardiomyopathy through a retrospective review of clinical profiles, procedural data and outcomes. All patients had right-sided accessory pathways, with three showing atrioventricular re-entrant tachycardia and one pre-excitation-related cardiomyopathy. Each infant had failed pharmacotherapy, and presented with heart failure and cardiac enlargement. RFCA was successfully performed in all cases without complications. Within 1-6 months postprocedure, both cardiac function and size normalised in every patient. These findings support RFCA as a safe and effective treatment for medically refractory, right-sided, pathway-mediated, arrhythmia-induced cardiomyopathy in infants, highlighting its potential for complete functional recovery.
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