Comparison of late results of surgical or radiofrequency catheter modification of the atrioventricular node for atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia.

AIMS: Although arrhythmia surgery and radiofrequency catheter ablation to cure atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia differ in technical concept, the late results of both methods, in terms of elimination of the arrhythmogenic substrate and procedure-related new and different arrhythmias, have never been compared. This constituted the purpose of this prospective follow-up study. METHODS AND RESULTS: Between 1988 and 1992, 26 patients were surgically treated using perinodal dissection or 'skeletonization', and from 1991 up to 1995, 120 patients underwent radiofrequency modification of the atrioventricular node for atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia. The acute success rates of surgery and radiofrequency catheter ablation were 96% and 92%, respectively. Late recurrence, rate in the surgical and radiofrequency catheter ablation groups was 12% and 17%, respectively. Mean follow-up was 53 months in the surgical group and 28 months in the radiofrequency catheter ablation group. The final success rate after repeat intervention was 100% in the surgical group and 98% in the radiofrequency catheter ablation group. Comparison of the initial and recent series of radiofrequency catheter ablated patients showed an increased initial success rate with fewer applications. In the radiofrequency catheter ablation group, a second- or third-degree block developed in three patients (2%), requiring permanent pacing, whereas in the surgical group no complete atrioventricular block was observed. Inappropriate sinus tachycardia needing drug treatment was observed in 13 patients (11%), mostly after fast pathway ablation, but was never observed after surgery. New and different supraventricular tachyarrhythmias arose in 27% of the patients in the surgical group and in 11% of the radiofrequency catheter ablation group, but did not clearly differ. CONCLUSION: This one-institutional follow-up study demonstrated comparable initial and late success rates as well as incidence of new and different supraventricular arrhythmias following arrhythmia surgery and radiofrequency catheter ablation for atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia. Today radiofrequency catheter ablation has replaced arrhythmia surgery for various reasons, but the late arrhythmic side-effects warrant refinement of technique.     

Slow pathway modification for atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia

The change in the "refractory window" was assessed as a possible indicator of successful slow pathway modification in 26 pediatric patients with persistent dual-atrioventricular node physiology. The "refractory window" was defined as the difference between the fast and slow pathway effective refractory periods. A significant decrease in the refractory window (p <0.001) after successful slow pathway modification was found.     

Cryothermal slow pathway modification for atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia.

AIMS: Predictors of recurrence following transcatheter cryoablation for atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia (AVNRT) are currently unknown. Our objective was to explore predictors of recurrence post-cryoablation for AVNRT, including the impact of procedural endpoints such as complete elimination of slow pathway conduction vs. persistent dual atrioventricular (AV) nodal physiology with or without echo beats. METHODS AND RESULTS: A single center cohort study was performed on patients undergoing a first cryoablation procedure for AVNRT between May 1999 and December 2004. Cryoablation for AVNRT was attempted in 185 consecutive patients (79.2% female), age 43.1 +/- 15.2 years. Acute success was achieved in 170 (91.9%) patients with 4.4 +/- 3.5 cryoapplications and a total procedural duration of 2.8 +/- 0.8 h. Complete elimination of slow pathway conduction was noted in 47.6% of acutely successful interventions, absence of AV nodal echoes despite dual AV nodal physiology in 8.8%, and presence of echoes but no inducible AVNRT on and off isoproterenol in 43.5%. Actuarial recurrence-free survival following acutely successful cryoablation at 1, 3, 6, 12, and 24 months was 94.8, 93.1, 91.7, 90.8, and 90.8%, respectively. Independent predictors of recurrence were younger age (P = 0.0045) and valvular heart disease (P = 0.0186). The achieved procedural endpoint did not modulate recurrence rates. Eight patients (4.3%) experienced transient third degree AV block; none required permanent pacing. CONCLUSIONS: As a cryoablation procedural outcome for AVNRT, persistent dual AV nodal physiology with or without echo beats is not associated with higher recurrence rates than complete elimination of dual AV nodal physiology if AVNRT remains non-inducible on and off isoproterenol.     

Comparison of the cost of radiofrequency catheter modification of the atrioventricular node and medical therapy for drug-refractory atrioventricular node reentrant tachycardia.

The purpose of this study was to determine the charges for radiofrequency catheter modification of the atrioventricular (AV) node in 15 patients with symptomatic AV node reentrant tachycardia despite pharmacologic therapy and to compare these charges with the estimated charges for health care utilization by the same patients before the catheter procedure was performed. There were seven men and eight women with a mean age of 50 +/- 17 years. The mean duration and frequency of symptoms were 16 +/- 9 years and 4.5 +/- 6 episodes/month, respectively. Fourteen of the 15 patients required only one procedure for diagnosis and cure of AV node reentrant tachycardia and 1 patient required two sessions. All patients underwent electrophysiologic study before discharge from the hospital to confirm the short-term efficacy of the procedure. The mean duration of the hospital stay was 3 +/- 1.5 days and the mean total charge/patient expressed in 1991 dollars was $15,893 +/- $3,338 for catheter modification. These total charges consisted of hospital charges of $8,105 +/- $2,466 and physician charges of $7,788 +/- $971. All patients had a successful outcome and required no additional antiarrhythmic therapy. The estimated cost of health care utilization for these 15 patients before cure of AV node reentrant tachycardia was $7,651/patient per year. These estimated costs included charges incurred for emergency room visits, office visits, hospitalizations and antiarrhythmic drug therapy. In conclusion, the results of this study indicate that the annual health care costs incurred by patients who have symptomatic, drug-refractory paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia caused by AV node reentry are substantial.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Cryosurgical modification of the atrioventricular node for treatment of atrioventricular junctional reentrant tachycardia

Surgical correction of atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia with preservation of atrioventricular nodal conduction in a 28-year-old woman is reported. At surgery, electrophysiologic mapping techniques were used during tachycardia to reveal and enable ablation of the appropriate site of atrial activation. Postoperative electrophysiologic studies indicated successful atrioventricular nodal modification.     

Conversion of typical to "atypical" atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia after radiofrequency catheter modification of the atrioventricular junction.

Typical atrioventricular (AV) nodal reentry tachycardia (AVNRT) is characterized by anterograde activation over a slowly conducting pathway and by retrograde activation through a rapidly conducting pathway. Preliminary reports suggest that radiofrequency catheter modification can eliminate typical AVNRT while preserving anterograde conduction. Radiofrequency catheter modification was used to treat 88 patients with typical AVNRT. After baseline electrophysiologic evaluation, the ablation catheter was positioned proximal and superior to the site of maximal His deflection. Radiofrequency energy was applied until there was significant attenuation of retrograde conduction, and elimination of AVNRT inducibility. Eighty-one patients were successfully treated and form the basis of this report. A new paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia with RP greater than PR interval was induced at electrophysiologic testing after successful ablation in 9 patients (11%). Mean atrial-His activation time was 140 +/- 31 ms, and the ventriculoatrial activation time was 170 +/- 46 ms. This arrhythmia was induced only with ventricular pacing during isoproterenol infusion and appeared to be mediated by AV nodal reentry. New retrograde dual AV nodal physiology after modification was more frequent in patients with atypical tachycardia than in those without (4 of 9 vs 2 of 72; p less than 0.0001). Although none of the patients were treated, only 1 of 9 had an episode of spontaneous atypical tachycardia during a mean follow-up of 12 months. Results of this study confirm that typical AVNRT can be rendered noninducible without the complete destruction of reentrant pathways. Because induction of "atypical" AVNRT was not predictive of spontaneous arrhythmia recurrence, it should not be an indication for additional ablation sessions or long-term drug therapy.     

房室结折返性心动过速患者射频导管消融术后的远期随访研究

目的评价慢径改良术治疗房室结折返性心动过速(AVNRT)的远期疗效和安全性。方法随访了184例房室结射频导管消融(RFCA)术后的AVNRT患者[男性82例,女性102例,平均年龄(48.8±15.2)岁],平均随访时间(32±26)个月。随访内容包括心电图和24h动态心电图PR间期、心动过速复发率、并发症发生率以及生活质量等。结果接受随访的本组患者慢径改良术成功率99.5%(183/184),复发率3.8%(7/184),其中术后1周内复发3例,6个月以上复发4例。一度房室阻滞经心电图证实为5例(2.7%),经动态心电图监测为9例(7.6%)。二度房室阻滞2例(1.7%),无一例发生三度房室阻滞。95.1%的患者远期随访无任何不适主诉。结论远期随访表明,射频消融房室结慢径治疗AVNRT是安全、有效的,提高了患者的生活质量。     

房室结折返性心动过速患者慢径改良术后的远期随访研究

目的 评价慢径改良术治疗房室结折返性心动过速(AVNRT)的远期疗效和安全性.方法 57例慢径改良术后的AVNRT患者[男性20例,女性37例,平均年龄(46.5±123)岁]接受了随访研究,平均随访时间(36±24)个月,随访内容包括:心电图和24 h动态心电图P-R间期、食管电生理房室结前传有效不应期(AVN-ERP)、1∶1房室传导的最大频率、心动过速复发率、并发症发生率以及生活质量等.结果 本组患者慢径改良成功率96.5%(55/57),复发率5.5%(3/55),其中术后3个月内复发1例,6个月以上复发2例.Ⅰ度房室传导阻滞经心电图证实为1例(1.8%),经Holer检测为6例(10.9%).Ⅱ度房室传导阻滞1例,远期随访未发现Ⅲ度房室传导阻滞.射频消融后AVN-ERP延长,1∶1房室传导的最大频率减慢.93.1%的患者远期随访无不适主诉.结论 远期随访表明,射频消融房室结慢径治疗AVNRT是安全、有效的,提高了患者的生活质量.     

伴连续性房室结功能曲线的房室结折返性心动过速的电生理分析

目的：探讨无房室结双径路特性的房室结折返性心动过速(AVNRT)的电生理特点。方法：所有心动过速患射频消融前常规行心内电生理检查。结果：845例射频病人中325例为AVNRT，其中有21例患房室结功能曲线呈连续性，其电生理特征：希氏束图上心房回波(A)先出现，A波落在室波升支或其前，希氏柬不应期内刺激心室，不能提前夺获心房，射频消融后心房刺激时AHmax明显缩短。结论：伴连续性房室结功能曲线的AVNRT患心房刺激不表现房室结双径路的电生理特性，其消融终点初步定为：心房心室S1S1、S1S2刺激不诱发AVNRT；无AHvH传导曲线跳跃；房室结前传不应期明显缩短。     

经动脉逆行法射频导管消融房室结折返性心动过速

房室结折返性心动过速（AVNRT）通常在右侧Koch三角沿三尖瓣环消融慢径，需在左侧间隔部消融者罕见。现报道1例经动脉逆行法于左侧中间隔部位消融慢径成功，随访1年无复发。     

射频消融治疗房室结或房室折返性心动过速的多中心随机临床试验

目的 通过与国外进口温控射频消融导管的比较,评价国产温控射频消融导管在房室结折返性心动过速(AVNRT)和房室折返性心动过速(AVRT)的临床疗效和安全性.方法 自2008年6月至11月共入选AVNRT或AVRT患者1342例.采用多中心随机平行对照开放试验设计,应用解放军第四军医大学设计的最小化随机统计方法进行动态随机分为二组,国产导管组应用国产温控射频消融导管,进口导管组应用强生或圣犹达等公司的进口温控射频消融导管.采用常规方法在X线透视下进行心内电生理检查和射频消融.结果 国产导管组672例,即时消融成功率97.9%,进口导管组670例,即时消融成功率99.1%,两组成功率均达到96.0%以上,差异无统计学意义.国产导管组与进口导管组的手术时间[(68±36)min与(67±34)min]、曝光时间[(14±14)min与(10±11)min]、放电次数[(4.5±4.5)次与(4.6±3.9)次]、放电时间[(260±218)s与(257±207)8]、导管性能总体评分[(4.4±0.5)分与(4.5±0.4)分],两组间差异均无统计学意义.发生并发症3例,均为心包积液(国产导管组1例,进口导管组2例),经心包穿刺引流后转为正常出院,差异无统计学意义.随访3个月,复发30例,分别为国产导管组14例、进口导管组16例(2.1%与2.4%),差异无统计学意义.结论 国产温控射频消融导管可安全有效治疗AVNRT或AVRT.     

房室折返和房室结折返性心动过速患者的个性分析

目的探讨房室折返性心动过速(AVRT)和房室结折返性心动过速(AVNRT)患者的个性特征。方法采用龚耀先修订的艾森克个性问卷量表,对83例AVRT、105例AVNRT患者射频消融前后和50例对照组正常人的精神质(P)、内外向(E)、情绪稳定性(N)和掩饰倾向(L)值进行测量。结果射频消融前后,各组之间的P、E、N和L值相比较差异无显著性(P>0.05);射频消融前后AVNRT组内女性患者的N分值较男性高(分别为12.93±2.83vs9.88±2.61;12.84±2.87vs9.87±2.64;P均<0.05)。结论AVNRT女性患者具有神经质倾向,这可能是在AVNRT中女性占多数的原因之一。     

Unusual variant of atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia.

Electrophysiologic study in a patient with supraventricular tachycardia revealed an unusual activation pattern in the coronary sinus (CS) electrodes. Pacing maneuvers confirmed the tachycardia was a slow-slow AV nodal reentrant tachycardia with double potentials in the distal CS electrodes due to an earlier left atrial signal (50 ms) and later CS musculature activation. The left-sided AV nodal inputs were successfully ablated from within the CS.     

Double loop reentrant atrial tachycardia following ablation for atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia

We report a patient with a history of multiple ablations for recurrent atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia who developed an atrial tachycardia four years after his last procedure. Subsequent electroanatomical mapping demonstrated double loop macro-reentrant atrial tachycardia consistent with a roof dependent flutter and a perimitral flutter. We successfully terminated the tachycardia by targeting isthmuses at sites of prior ablation.     

房室结折返性心动过速射频消融术后复发机制探讨

目的: 探讨房室结折返性心动过速射频消融术后复发原因。方法: 对356 例房室结折返性心动过速患者射频消融术后进行随访,回顾性分析其电生理资料。结果: 356例中10例复发,复发率2.8%,320例患者射频术后无心房回波,无跳跃现象,一直未复发;术后有心房回波无跳跃现象未诱发出室上速17例,其中3例复发;术后有跳跃及心房回波未诱发出室上速11例,其中5例复发;术后有跳跃无心房回波未诱发出室上速8例,2例复发。10例复发患者,第2次射频消融术后房室结不应期均较第1次术后延长,且与术前快径不应期差值明显减小,第2次射频消融术后随访至今（>9个月）,无1例复发。结论: 慢径残存是房室结折返性心动过速射频消融术后复发的主要原因。     

经上腔静脉途径行房室结慢径消融24例疗效分析

经股静脉途径行房室结慢径消融(RFCA)术后常需压迫止血、卧床制动等有可能引起下肢静脉血栓等并发症。为此,我院从2007年始开展经上腔静脉途径行房室结慢径消融术,现报道如下。1资料和方法1.1病例选择选择我院2007—2011年临床上有阵发性     

三维标测引导房室结折返性心动过速射频消融的疗效及其优势

目的 观察Ensite Navx三维标测引导射频消融治疗房室结折返性心动过速(AVNRT)的有效性及安全性。方法 射频消融治疗AVNRT患者213例,将其分为三维标测组（101例）和常规治疗组（112例）,三维标测组在Ensite Navx三维标测系统引导下,必要时联合短暂X线透视进行射频消融;常规治疗组在传统X线透视下行射频消融治疗。观察指标:①放置标测导管过程中X线曝光时限和射线剂量;②操作消融导管进行建模消融过程中X线曝光时限和射线剂量;③手术时间;④即刻成功率与总体成功率;⑤并发症的发生率（血气胸、心脏压塞、III度房室传导阻滞）。结果 ①放置标测导管过程中两组的X线曝光时间、曝光剂量分别为:三维标测组(2.3±1.3)min、(1.7±1.1)mGy,常规治疗组（2.4±1.1）min、（1.6±1.0）mGy,二者无统计学差异;②操作消融导管消融过程中,三维标测组X线曝光时间、曝光剂量为:（2.6±1.8）min、（3.5±1.8）mGy,显著低于常规治疗组的（8.9±2.0）min、（11.8±2.6）mGy(均P<0.01);③手术时间:三维标测组、常规治疗组分别为（48±16）min,（47±13）min,无显著差异;④术中两组患者均消融成功;术后随访6个月,三维标测组无复发病例,常规治疗组有1例复发,在Ensite Navx三维标测系统引导下再次消融成功,两组总体成功率无显著差异;⑤并发症:射频术中两组均未出现相关并发症。结论 应用Ensite Navx三维标测引导射频消融能够治疗AVNRT安全有效,且不增加手术时间和并发症,X线曝光时间、曝光剂量显著降低。     

Development of multiform ventricular tachycardia during atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia.

A woman of 18 presented with a supraventricular tachycardia, subsequently shown to be caused by atrioventricular nodal reentry, which abruptly deteriorated to a multiform ventricular tachycardia. She had not received any antiarrhythmic drugs nor did she have any of the disorders that are usually associated with this atypical ventricular tachycardia.