RADIOFREQUENCY CATHETER ABLATION OF ACCES SORY PATHWAYS

Radiofrequency catheter ablation has established as the first line the rapy for the curative treatment of patients with accessory pathway. At rioventricular accessory pathways irrespective of the exact localisati on can be successfully ablated in more than 90% of all cases. Severe c omplications associated with the ablation procedure are rare and occur in approximately 2% of patients treated. The recurrence rate after su ccessful ablation is approximately 8 to 10%. Recurrence of accessory p athway conduction occurs almost exclusively within the first 3 months following successful ablation, late recurrences are rare. Patients wit h variants of accessory pathways such as atriofascicular pathways or r etrogradely conducting accessory pathways with decremental conduction properties can also be cured with a high success rate. Because of its well balanced efficacy-risk profile radiofrequency catheter ablation s hould be recommended as the first line therapy to all symptomatic pati ents with accessory pathway.