THE PRESENT ROLE OF RADIOFREQUENCY CATHETER ABLATION IN THE MANAGEMENT OF CARDIAC-ARRHYTHMIAS

Radiofrequency catheter ablation can be used to treat a variety of car diac arrhythmias. Yet while the spectrum of arrhythmias amenable to ca theter ablation continues to expand, the protocol for whether or not c atheter ablation should be recommended for the management of an indivi dual patient has not been firmly established. This article summarizes the experience of one medical center with radiofrequency catheter abla tion. The varieties of arrhythmias that may be effectively treated wit h catheter ablation, the probability of success, and the attendant ris ks of these procedures in this series are presented. In addition, the future applications of catheter ablation to cardiac arrhythmias are di scussed.