Simplified approach to radiofrequency catheter ablation of paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia

Aim. To investigate the safety and efficacy of a simplified approach in radiofrequency catheter ablation of paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia. Methods. The study involved 239 patients (118 men and 121 women) with paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia and normal 12-lead electrocardiographic (ECG) findings at sinus rhythm, who visited the Cardiology Department of Weifang Medical College Hospital between January 2000 and September 2003. The mean age of patients was 39.2 +/- 11.9 years. The patients were divided into two groups: one undergoing a conventional 5-catheter ablation (controls), and the other a simplified 3-catheter ablation (study group). The follow up after ablation lasted 12 months. No antiarrhythmic agents were prescribed to the patients with successful ablation. Results. The conventional and the 3-catheter ablation group did not differ in ablation success (97.5% vs 98.3%, p=0.42) and recurrence of paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia (2.5% vs 3.3%, p=0.23). The simplified approach was associated with a significantly shorter procedure duration (89.1 +/- 28.2 vs 96.1 +/- 21.2 minutes, p<0.01) and fluoroscopy time (10.7 ± 2.6 vs 12.7 ± 4.2 minutes, p<0.01). There were no significant differences between the two groups in the type and incidence of procedural complications and ablation success. Conclusions. The simplified 3-catheter ablation approach proved to be a safe and effective method for ablation of paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia. However, further studies including larger sample of such patients are needed to assess the clinical outcomes and cost-effectiveness of this simplified procedure.