PURPOSE: Catheter ablation using radiofrequency currents have been proven to be an effective and safe tool for the treatment of adult patients with accessory atrioventricular pathways. This study was designed to analyze the efficacy of this method in childern and adolescents. METHODS: Using radiofrequency currents, cathether ablation of an accessory pathway was performed in 54 patients (mean age 11.8 years) with drug-refractory supraventricular tachycardia (51 patients in Georg-August University and 3 patients in Choong Ang Gil General Hospital). Criterias for RF current ablation were as following: precise recording of AP potentials, early ventricle activation relative to the onset of delta wave and stable local electrocardiogram. RESULTS: In 33 of 36 (91.6%) patients with left-side accessory pathways and in 15 of 18 (83.3%) patients with right-side accessory connections, conduction over these pathways was interrupted. CONCLUSION: Cathter ablation using radiofrequency current is a highly effective method for the definitive treatment of supraventricular tachycardia in children and adolescents. Even though cathter ablation by using radiofrequency current is safer in comparison to using direct currents, this procedure should be done only by a specialist. Drug therapy does not cure or offers temporary treatment, but the major benefit of radiofrequency catheter ablation is its potential as a cure. Recently, catheter ablation using radiofrequency currents has been used as the primary treatment for supraventricular tachycardia, because the opportunity to eliminate a chronic disease is especially appealing to children and then family.
Accessory Atrioventricular Bundle ; Adolescent* ; Adult ; Catheter Ablation* ; Catheters* ; Child* ; Chronic Disease ; Drug Therapy ; Electrocardiography ; Humans ; Specialization ; Tachycardia, Supraventricular*