RADIOFREQUENCY CURRENT CATHETER ABLATION FOR CONTROL OF SUPRAVENTRICULAR ARRHYTHMIAS

With the advent of radiofrequency energy, catheter ablation techniques have become an accepted form of treatment for a variety of supraventr icular arrhythmias. The ablation of the atrioventricular (AV) node was performed first and is now widely used in patients with refractory at rial fibrillation or flutter. Ablation has also replaced surgery in pa tients with preexcitation syndromes, and as the complication rate in e xperienced centers is low, it has become the first line of treatment i n these institutions. The results of catheter ablation in AV nodal ree ntrant tachycardia are excellent as well, although there is still deba te about whether ''slow'' pathway ablation is superior to ''fast'' pat hway ablation. Radiofrequency current ablation has also contributed to a better understanding of the pathophysiology of AV nodal reentrant t achycardia, as it has provided evidence for atrial participation in th e reentrant circuit. Experience with atrial tachycardias and tachycard ias due to Mahaim fibers remains limited. The ideal source of energy f or specific arrhythmias is still unknown and improvement in catheter t echnology is needed.