RADIOFREQUENCY CATHETER ABLATION FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF CARDIAC TACHYARRHYTHMIAS

Radiofrequency catheter ablation techniques allow for safe and highly effective curative therapy of a variety of cardiac dysrhythmias. The t echnique involves the delivery of a high-frequency, alternating electr ical current through an intravascular catheter to sites of arrhythmoge nic myocardium. This current induces resistive electrical heating of t he tissue, resulting in discrete areas of myocardial destruction throu gh coagulation and desiccation. Dysrhythmias most commonly treated wit h these techniques are atrioventricular nodal reentry and tachycardias related to accessory atrioventricular bypass tracts. For these dysrhy thmias, success rates of 90% to 95% are achievable with a low (2% to 4 %) risk of complications. Radiofrequency catheter ablation techniques also have been used to treat ventricular tachycardias atrial flutter, ectopic atrial tachycardia, and sinus node reentry, albeit with lower success rates. These techniques are still evolving, alternate energy s ources (such as microwave and laser) and improved catheter technology should enhance the technique's safety and efficacy for a wider range o f dysrhythmias.