Radiofrequency current ablation of atrioventricular accessory pathway

Catheter ablation of atrioventricular accessory pathway by radiofrequency current is a new treatment for patients with refractory supraventricular tachycardia. 71 patients (37 male, 34 female, mean age 36 +/- 11 years) with 77 atrioventricular accessory pathways were ablated in the study. Left-sided pathways were ablated at the ventricular side of mitral annulus by using large-tip ablation catheter. While right-sided pathways were ablated along the tricuspid annulus, 70 (90.9%) accessory pathways of 64 patients (90.1%) were blocked successfully. There were no deaths. Left femoral vein thrombosis occurred in one patient. Recurrence was found in 3 patients (4.2%) after 7 months of follow-up and all of them were ablated again successfully.