Long term outcome of radiofrequency catheter ablation in patients with atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia

The aim of this study was to assess the long term results (minimum of 3 years) of radiofrequency catheter ablation in patients with common (slow-fast) atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia. Sixty consecutive patients (mean age 56+/-16 years, Ib men and 44 women) underwent slow pathway (n=51, group A) or fast pathway (n=9, group B) radiofrequency catheter ablation between January 1992 and March 1994. All patients were followed after ablation with serial examinations and electrocardiograms, and last follow-up was made on April 1997. During a mean follow-up period of 48+/-7 months (range 38 to 63) all evaluated patients remain asymptomatic. We observed no significant atrioventricular conduction disturbances in any patient. In patients with atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia, radiofrequency catheter ablation is a safe and effective therapy, with good results that persist during long term follow-up.