INCIDENCE OF INTERVENTION-RELATED CARDIAC-VALVE LESIONS AFTER RADIOFREQUENCY CATHETER ABLATION OF LEFT-SIDED ACCESSORY ATRIOVENTRICULAR PATHWAYS

The aim of this study was to evaluate the incidence of valve lesions a fter radiofrequency catheter ablation of accessory atrioventricular pa thways using the retrograde transaortic approach. Patients who present ed no preexisting detectable valve lesion prior to catheter ablation a nd who underwent a comparable echocardiographic examination prior to a nd after catheter ablation were included for data analysis. From Janua ry 1991 until May 1993, 113 patients underwent radiofrequency catheter ablation of a left-sided accessory atrioventricular pathways at our i nstitution. Fifty-nine patients were included in this study. Five pati ents (8.4 %) developed new valve lesions after radiofrequency catheter ablation. There were two cases (3.3 %) of aortic regurgitation and fo ur cases (6.7 %) of mitral regurgitation. In the majority of cases onl y mild valve regurgitation was detected. A hemodynamically significant valve lesion was observed in a single patient (1.6 %). We speculate t hat the new onset of valve lesions is mostly due to catheter manipulat ions rather than due to tissue injury related to radiofrequency curren t application. Echocardiographic examinations prior to and after radio frequency catheter ablation of accessory pathways may contribute to a further reduction in intervention-related complications.