Catheter ablation therapy in a case with WPW syndrome complicated by multiple tachyarrhythmias

WPW syndrome is of importance because of the frequent association of tachyarrhythmias. However, its complication by 3 or more different tachyarrhythmias simultaneously is rare. This paper reports a case of WPW syndrome complicated by paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter, and 2 types of atrioventricular reentrant tachycardia. The tachyarrhythmias could be cured by cauterizing the accessory pathway using catheter ablation with radiofrequency electric current. A 30-year-old man visited to a local physician with an episode of tachycardia which failed to resolve, and a diagnosis of WPW syndrome associated with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation was made. The patient was referred to our hospital for further examination and treatment, and electrophysiological study was performed. During the examination, 2 types of atrioventricular reentrant tachycardia with different heart rates were induced, as well as atrial fibrillation and 2:1 atrial flutter. The presence of a left-sided accessory atrioventricular pathway was confirmed by coronary sinus mapping, and the following day catheter ablation was performed and the accessory pathway was cauterized. Subsequently, the delta wave disappeared from the ECG and no additional episodes of tachycardia occurred. Catheter ablation is still undergoing research as a therapeutic modality. However, because the ablation technique entails little invasion or risk, and is economical, it may well become a mainstream treatment for tachycardia in patients with WPW syndrome in the future.