[One thousand consecutive radiofrequency ablation procedures. Indications, results, and complications]

Radiofrequency ablation has become the treatment of choice in the majority of patients suffering from cardiac arrhythmias. In this study we present our experience in a large group of patients treated using this procedure.

Between January 1992 and February 1996, we performed 1000 consecutive ablation procedures in 938 patients with different cardiac arrhythmias. The indication for ablation were: tachycardias due to the presence of an accessory pathway (n = 487), atrio-ventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia (n = 284), atrio-ventricular nodal ablation (n = 104), atrial tachycardia (n = 42), atrial flutter (n = 41) and ventricular tachycardia (n = 42).

Radiofrequency ablation was initially effective in 908 out of the 938 patients (97%). Effectiveness ranged from 100% in atrio-ventricular nodal ablation to 83% in atrial tachycardia. During follow-up, a total of 45 recurrences of the arrhythmia were documented (5%) ranging from 2% in atrial tachycardia to 28% in atrial flutter. In 40 out of the 45 patients a second procedure was performed, being effective in 34 of them. Finally, radiofrequency ablation was effective in 896 out of the 938 patients (96%). A total of 13 significative complications were observed (1.3%). Of them, 10 occurred during the 250 initial procedures (4%) and 3 in the remaining 750 procedures (0.4%).

In centers performing a large number of procedures, radiofrequency ablation is a safe and effective method for the treatment of the majority of cardiac arrhythmias.