RECURRENT POLYMORPHIC VENTRICULAR-TACHYCARDIA COMPLICATING RADIOFREQUENCY CATHETER ABLATION OF THE ATRIOVENTRICULAR JUNCTION

Recurrent ventricular tachycardia and ventricular fibrillation were ob served immediately after RF ablation of the AV junction in a 64-year-o ld man. This arrhythmia was preceded by ventricular bigeminy and a lon g-short sequence. It was not associated with prolongation of the QT in terval compared to baseline, and recurred 3 months later despite ventr icular pacing at 90 beats/min. This is the first reported case of sust ained ventricular arrhythmia complicating RF AV junction ablation desp ite rapid ventricular pacing, and recurring 3 months after discharge. It may explain the rare cases of sudden death complicating this proced ure.