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- Title
Underlying Heart Rhythm after Catheter Ablation of the Atrioventricular Conduction System.
- Authors
Vijgen, Johan; Ector, Hugo; De Geest, Hilaire
- Abstract
Catheter fulguration was used to treat 30 patients with refractory supraventricular arrhythmias. Persistent complete heart block was achieved in 23 patients (77%). Two patients (6%) have intermittent complete heart block, and remain asymptomatic without additional drug therapy. In one patient, AV conduction resumed, hut the patient became asymptomatic with previously ineffective drugs. The procedure was ineffective in four patients (13%). To assess the long-term stability of the subsidiary escape rhythm, we describe the underlying heart rhythm, after pacemaker inhibition by chest wall stimulation, on 125 occasions in 25 patients with complete heart block. The mean follow-up period was 30 months (range: 2-79 months). Ten patients (40%) did have an escape rhythm on every assessment. The cycle length of the subsidiary escape rhythm was 1,380 ±421 msec (mean ± SD). Catheter ablation of the AV junction should only he used as a last resort, because of the possible induction of a pacemaker dependent state. A reliable escape rhythm was present in only 40% of the patients.
- Subjects
CATHETERS; ARRHYTHMIA; VENTRICULAR tachycardia; ATRIOVENTRICULAR node; HEART conduction system; CARDIAC pacemakers; CATHETER ablation
- Publication
Journal of Cardiovascular Electrophysiology, 1990, Vol 1, Issue 3, p209
- ISSN
1045-3873
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1111/j.1540-8167.1990.tb01061.x