Radiofrequency ablation therapy in atypical or multiple atrioventricular node reentry tachycardias

Electrophysiologic study and radiofrequency ablation therapy were performed in 23 patients with atypical (8 patients) or multiple (15) atrioventricular node reentry tachycardias. Dual pathways with anterograde fast and slow pathway conductions were demonstrated in 16 patients. Studies on retrograde conduction revealed the presence of three different pathways, including fast (15 patients), intermediate (17), and slow (16). The radiofrequency current was applied to the inferior aspect, one-third anterior two-thirds posterior between the His bundle and the ostium of the coronary sinus, of Koch's triangle along the tricuspid annulus in all patients. Application of the current resulted in selective ablation or modification of both retrograde intermediate and slow pathway conductions in 20 patients. In two patients retrograde fast pathway conduction was also modified. Complete atrioventricular block occurred in the remaining patient. Sixteen patients had no induction of tachycardia or echo, 4 had induction of a single echo, and 2 had induction of the slow-fast form tachycardia; one of those 2 patients underwent a second trial and was successful. A median application of 2 was delivered at a power of 25 +/- 5 W and a duration of 18 +/- 4 sec. The total fluoroscopic time was 25 +/- 21 minutes. The anterograde fast pathway conduction was unaffected; the shortest atrial paced cycle length that sustained 1:1 fast pathway conduction was 329 +/- 65 msec and 330 +/- 68 msec before and after ablation, respectively. A follow-up electrophysiologic study was performed in 16 patients 60 +/- 15 days after ablation. Eleven had no induction of tachycardia or echo, and five had induction of < 3 echoes. This study demonstrated that radiofrequency ablation with the inferior approach is effective and safe in atypical or multiple atrioventricular node reentry tachycardias. It resulted in ablation of the slow pathway and retrograde intermediate pathway conduction with preserved atrioventricular conduction.