Electrophysiological studies and radiofrequency catheter ablations for cardiac arrhythmia in childhood

Electrophysiological studies and catheter ablation using radiofrequency is now established as a safe standard method for cardiac arrhythmia in pediatr ic patients as well as adults. Originally this method was used for congenit al cardiac arrhythmias such as accessory conduction pathways in Wolff-Parki nson-White syndrome. With expanding knowledge about cardiac electrophysiolo gy and improved technical conditions it has now also become possible to tre at complex congenital and postoperative cardiac arrhythmias more and more s uccessfully. However,this method requires a lot of investment in terms of s taff, technical equipment, expertise and funding,so this form of treatment will remain confined to a few specialised centres where it will be accessib le to enough patients so that a satisfactory level of collective experience with it can be built up.