Neonatal radiofrequency catheter ablation of junctional tachycardias

Junctional tachycardias comprise several arrhythmia types with differing me chanisms, principally involving the region of the atrioventricular (A-V) ju nction. Neonatal radiofrequency catheter ablation has typically been reserv ed for life-threatening, drug-refractory cases due to the unique concerns r egarding patient size and development. We performed radiofrequency catheter ablation on two neonates with incessant, rapid junctional tachycardias and hemodynamic compromise after failing conventional medical therapy. This re port describes 2 neonates who underwent emergent radiofrequency catheter ab lation, and compares these two patients to a larger pediatric catheter abla tion patient cohort. Both neonates had an acutely successful outcome and we re able to be discharged within a week of the ablation procedure, Fluorosco py time and total procedure time were shorter in these two patients than in the course of the average pediatric catheter ablation, Though long-term de velopmental consequences of neonatal catheter ablation are yet unknown, in unique extreme situations, radiofrequency catheter ablation can be performe d in neonates, as in older children and adults, without excessive acute mor bidity.