Long-term safety and efficacy of slow pathway ablation in patients with atrioventricular nodal re-entrant tachycardia and pre-existing prolonged PR interval
Abstract
The association of atrioventricular nodal re-entrant tachycardia (AVNRT) and pre-existing prolonged PR interval is unusual. Radiofrequency (RF) ablation in such patients may be associated with an increased risk of immediate and delayed AV block. The aim of our study is to assess the long-term efficacy and safety of slow pathway ablation in this population. We studied 10 patients (4 males and 6 females) with pre-existing prolonged PR interval of 68 consecutive patients with AVNRT. All had slow-fast subtype of AVNRT. The mean PR interval was 222 +/- 15 ms before RF. The patients with pre-existing prolonged PR were older (69 +/- 15 vs. 54 +/- 17, P = 0.008) and their tachycardias were slower (387 +/- 102 vs. 323 +/- 73 ms; P < 0.05). Transient complete AV block (<5 s) occurred in two patients. None had permanent complete AV block. One patient had a significant increase in PR interval (from 220 to 320 ms). The mean post-RF PR interval was 232+/-37 ms (P = n.s.). Over a mean follow-up of 39 +/- 21 months, none had a recurrence of tachycardia nor developed higher degree AV block. In conclusion, in patients with AVNRT and pre-existing prolonged PR interval, a slow pathway ablation appeared efficient and safe. From our data, no delayed...Continue Reading
References
Citations
Related Concepts
Related Feeds
Cardiac Conduction System
The cardiac conduction system is a specialized tract of myocardial cells responsible for maintaining normal cardiac rhythm. Discover the latest research on the cardiac conduction system here.