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Wide complex tachycardia due to automaticity in an accessory pathway
A G Deam1, M E Burton, P F Walter
1Cardiac Electrophysiology Laboratory, Emory University Hospital, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, USA.
Pacing and Clinical Electrophysiology : PACE
|November 1, 1995
Summary
Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome patients can experience tachycardia from accessory pathway automaticity. Radiofrequency ablation successfully treated this rare cause by eliminating both pathway conduction and automaticity.
Area of Science:
- Electrophysiology
- Cardiology
Background:
- Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) syndrome is characterized by preexcited tachycardia.
- This often results from atrial arrhythmias or antidromic reentry via accessory pathways.
Observation:
- A case of persistent wide complex tachycardia in a WPW syndrome patient was observed.
- The tachycardia was attributed to abnormal automaticity within the accessory pathway.
Findings:
- Radiofrequency catheter ablation was performed on the patient.
- The procedure successfully eliminated both accessory pathway conduction and the abnormal automaticity.
Implications:
- Accessory pathway automaticity is identified as a potential, albeit infrequent, cause of preexcited tachycardia in WPW syndrome.
- This finding highlights radiofrequency ablation as an effective treatment for this specific etiology.