Supraventricular tachycardia: catheter ablation therapy in 72 patients

Radiofrequency (RF) catheter ablation for recurrent supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) has been performed at the Charleston Area Medical Center since September 1991. Of the first 72 patients undergoing this procedure, a total of 76 tachycardias were treated and these included 41 accessory pathways, 21 junctionals, and 14 atrial tachycardias (atrial fibrillation, flutter, and intra-atrial reentry tachycardia). RF catheter ablation was successful in 67 of these patients (93%). This procedure is a highly effective treatment modality which should be considered in patients with recurrent symptomatic SVT.