ACCESSORY PATHWAY AND ATRIOVENTRICULAR NODE REENTRANT TACHYCARDIA IN ELDERLY PATIENTS - CLINICAL-FEATURES, ELECTROPHYSIOLOGIC CHARACTERISTICS AND RESULTS OF RADIOFREQUENCY ABLATION

Objectives. This study was designed to evaluate the clinical features, electrophysiologic characteristics and results of radiofrequency abla tion in elderly patients with accessory atrioventricular (AV) pathways or AV node reentrant tachycardia. Background. adiofrequency ablation in elderly patients with paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia has n ot been well described, and comparative study between elderly and youn ger patients is limited. Methods. Electrophysiologic studies and radio frequency ablation were performed in 92 elderly patients (45 with an a ccessory pathway, 47 with AV node reentrant tachycardia). Results. The elderly patients had poorer electrophysiologic properties in accessor y pathways and dual AV node pathways than those of younger patients. T he success rate of radiofrequency ablation was similar in elderly and younger patients. However, elderly patients had more complications (14 %) in left-sided accesory pathways. Conclusions. Radiofrequency ablati on in elderly patients with supraventricular tachycardia was effective , However, it must be performed cautiously in those patients with left sided accessory pathways.