FEASIBILITY AND SAFETY OF A MINIMALLY INVASIVE APPROACH TO CATHETER ABLATION FOR ATRIOVENTRIEULAR NODAL REENTRANT TACHYCARDIA

This study assessed the feasibility and safety of a minimally invasive approach to catheter ablation in 72 consecutive patients with AV noda l reentrant tachycardia. A 3-catheter approach was used in the first 1 9 patients. In the other 53 patients, a 2-catheter approach was employ ed. Ablation was successful in all patients after a mean of 3 +/- 3 RF applications. Procedure and fluoroscopy limes were 62 +/- 20 mins and 8 +/- 5 mins respectively. Slow pathway was ablated in 43 patients (6 0%). Transient AV block occurred in 6 patients; there was no permanent AV block. These results suggest that it is feasible to perform ablati on for AV nodal reentrant tachycardia safely and with high efficacy us ing a minimally invasive approach. This has the potential to lessen pa tient discomfort and to further shorten procedure and radiation exposu re times.