Korean J Intern Med.
1997 Jun;12(2):216-224.
Temperature-guided radiofrequency catheter ablation of accessory pathway
- Affiliations
-
- 1Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, Korea.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES
This study was performed to evaluate the usefulness of
temperature-guided radiofrequency catheter ablation for the elimination of
accessory pathway conduction in patients with Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome.
METHODS: Temperature-guided radiofrequency catheter ablation was attempted in
138 patients with 144 accessory pathways (88 pathways along the left free wall,
5 in the anteroseptal region, 2 in the midseptal region, 19 in the posteroseptal
region and 30 along the right free wall). The energy source was a HAT 200S which
regulated the power automatically to the set temperature of 70 degrees C.
Radiofrequency current was delivered through a thermocatheter to the atrial or
ventricular side of mitral or tricuspid annulus. RESULTS: Accessory pathway
conduction was eliminated in 130 of 144 pathways (90.3%). The mean power outputs
of the successful ablations at the atrial side of the annulus were higher than
those at the ventricular side (34.0 +/- 8.9W versus 20.0 +/- 7.6W, p < 0.01),
but the maximum temperatures were lower at the atrial side of the annulus than
those at the ventricular side (66.4 +/- 14.0 degrees C versus 77.2 +/- 6.4
degrees C, p < 0.01). There were 3 non-fatal complications (2.1%), 2 patients
with hemopericardium and 1 with femoral artery thrombus, during or after
ablation procedures. Recurrences of AV re-entrant tachycardia or delta wave on
the electrocardiogram occurred in 4 patients (2.8%) who had successful second
procedures. There were no late complications during a mean follow-up period of
41 +/- 25 months (range, 3 to 55). CONCLUSION: We conclude that 1)
temperature-guided radiofrequency catheter ablation can be performed reliably
and safely in eliminating accessory pathway conduction in patients with WPW
syndrome, and 2) temperature monitoring and adjustment of the power to the set
temperature during ablation would be useful for the avoidance of impedance rises
and coagulum formation.