PMID: 11933546Apr 6, 2002Paper

Does radiofrequency ablation of the slow pathway prevent atrial fibrillation in cases of re-entrant intranodal junctional tachycardia?

Archives des maladies du coeur et des vaisseaux
B Brembilla-PerrotP Houriez

Abstract

The aim of this study was to assess the effects of ablation of the slow pathway on the eventual occurrence of atrial fibrillation (AF) in cases of intranodal junctional tachycardia (INJT). Two hundred and fifty seven patients were admitted for recurrent paroxysmal junctional tachycardia. The ages ranged from 15 to 87 years (average 54 +/- 16 years). Tachycardia was induced in all patients and the mechanism shown to be INJT in 215 patients. Twelve of these (6%) also had spontaneous paroxysmal AF. It was possible to induce INJT and AF in 23 patients during electrophysiological study (11%): of these patients, 4 had a history of AF associated with INJT. Radiofrequency ablation of the slow pathway was successfully carried out. Patients were followed up for 1 to 6 years (average 3 +/- 2 years). None were prescribed antiarrhythmic drugs. The results showed that of the 12 patients with spontaneous AF before ablation, 8 had recurrence of paroxysmal AF which required reintroduction of an antiarrhythmic treatment and a ninth patient is currently in chronic atrial fibrillation. All but one of the patients were over 65 years of age. The AF recurred 1 month to 4 years after ablation. Of the 19 patients without previous AF but with inducible ...Continue Reading

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