RADIOFREQUENCY ABLATION OF ARRHYTHMIAS IN THE PEDIATRIC-PATIENT

Advances in management of pediatric arrhythmias using radiofrequency c atheter ablation are reviewed. Discussion begins with the most frequen t arrhythmia experienced in childhood, supraventricular tachycardia, a nd its variants. Subsequent consideration will center on progress made in using radiofrequency catheter ablation to manage ventricular tachy cardia, both in the normal heart as well as in surgically repaired tet ralogy of Fallot. Potential limitations to radiofrequency ablation in the infant age group are addressed. Technologic progress as it applies to pediatric patients is also examined. Lastly, an enhanced appreciat ion for the immense contribution that radiofrequency catheter ablation techniques have made will emerge for the reader after reviewing recen t results obtained using surgical techniques for arrhythmia ablation.