OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to evaluate the value of activation
mapping for radiofrequency modification of the sinus node and the long-ter
m success rate of the procedure in a series of patients with inappropriate
sinus tachycardia.
BACKGROUND The results of radiofrequency ablation of inappropriate sinus ta
chycardia have been reported in only a small number of patients.
METHODS The subjects of this study were 29 consecutive drug-refractory pati
ents who underwent catheter ablation of inappropriate sinus tachycardia. Ta
rget sites were selected by activation mapping during sinus tachycardia.
RESULTS The ablation procedure was successful acutely in reducing the basel
ine sinus rate to <90/min and the sinus rate during isoproterenol infusion
by >20% in 22 of 29 patients (76%). In 13 of 22 patients (59%) with a succe
ssful acute outcome, successive applications of radiofrequency energy at th
e site of earliest endocardial activation resulted in a cranial-caudal migr
ation of earliest endocardial activation from the high lateral right atrium
, along with a step-wise reduction in heart rate. In the other nine patient
s (41%) with a successful acute outcome, the reduction in sinus rate occurr
ed abruptly, unaccompanied by migration of the site of earliest activation.
Symptoms due to inappropriate sinus tachycardia recurred at a mean of 4.4
+/- 3 months after the ablation procedure in 6 of 22 patients (27%). After
additional procedures in three patients, symptoms:of inappropriate sinus ta
chycardia ultimately were successfully eliminated over the long-term in 19
of 29 patients (66%).
CONCLUSIONS In conclusion, radiofrequency ablation is at best only modestly
effective for managing patients with inappropriate sinus tachycardia. The
two different responses of heart rate to radiofrequency ablation may reflec
t differences in the number and/or multicentricity of subsidiary sites of i
mpulse generation within the sinus node and/or atrium in patients with inap
propriate sinus tachycardia. (J Am Coil Cardiol 2000;35:451-7) (C) 2000 by
the American College of Cardiology.