Donate Help Contact The AHA Sign In Home
American Heart Association
Circulation
Search: search_blue_button Advanced Search
Circulation. 1999;99:262-270

This Article
Right arrow Abstract Freely available
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Right arrow Citation Map
Services
Right arrow Email this article to a friend
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrowRequest Permissions
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via HighWire
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Calkins, H.
Right arrow Articles by Prystowsky, E.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by Calkins, H.
Right arrow Articles by Prystowsky, E.
Related Collections
Right arrow Ablation/ICD/surgery
Right arrow Arrhythmias, clinical electrophysiology, drugs

(Circulation. 1999;99:262-270.)
© 1999 American Heart Association, Inc.


Clinical Investigation and Reports

Catheter Ablation of Accessory Pathways, Atrioventricular Nodal Reentrant Tachycardia, and the Atrioventricular Junction

Final Results of a Prospective, Multicenter Clinical Trial

Hugh Calkins, MD; Patrick Yong, MSEE; John M. Miller, MD; Brian Olshansky, MD; Mark Carlson, MD; J. Philip Saul, MD; Shoei K. Stephen Huang, MD; L. Bing Liem, DO; Lawrence S. Klein, MD; Suzan A. Moser, BSN; Daniel A. Bloch, PhD; Paul Gillette, MD; Eric Prystowsky, MD; for the Atakr Multicenter Investigators Group1

From the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Md, and the Departments of Health Research and Policy and Medicine (D.A.B.), Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, Calif.

Correspondence and reprint requests to Hugh Calkins, MD, the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Carnegie 592, 600 N Wolfe St, Baltimore, MD 21287. E-mail hcalkins{at}welchlink.welch.jhu.edu


*    Abstract
up arrowTop
*Abstract
down arrowIntroduction
down arrowMethods
down arrowResults
down arrowDiscussion
down arrowAppendix 1
down arrowReferences
 
Background—The purpose of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of a temperature-controlled radiofrequency catheter ablation system.

Methods and Results—The patient population included 1050 patients who had undergone ablation of atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia (AVNRT), an accessory pathway (AP), or the atrioventricular junction (AVJ). Ablation was successful in 996 patients. The probability of success was highest among patients who had undergone ablation of the AVJ, lowest in patients who had undergone ablation of an AP, and in between for patients who had undergone ablation of AVNRT. A major complication occurred in 32 patients. Four variables predicted ablation success (AVJ, AVNRT, or left free wall AP ablation and an experienced center). Four factors predicted arrhythmia recurrence (right free wall, posteroseptal, septal, and multiple APs). Two variables predicted development of a complication (structural heart disease and the presence of multiple targets), and 3 variables predicted an increased risk of death (heart disease, lower ejection fraction, and AVJ ablation).

Conclusions—These findings may serve as a guide to clinicians considering therapeutic options in patients who are candidates for ablation.


Key Words: catheter ablation • Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome • atrioventricular node • complications


*    Introduction
up arrowTop
up arrowAbstract
*Introduction
down arrowMethods
down arrowResults
down arrowDiscussion
down arrowAppendix 1
down arrowReferences
 
Since its introduction in the early 1990s, a number of studies have reported the results of radiofrequency (RF) catheter ablation in the treatment of atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia (AVNRT)1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 and arrhythmias that involve accessory atrioventricular connections (accessory pathways, AP),8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 and ablation of the atrioventricular junction (AVJ).18 19 20 The favorable results of these studies have fueled enthusiasm for catheter ablation, with the number of ablation procedures increasing from 500 procedures per year in 1991 to >15 000 in 1993.21 22 However, limitations of those studies include the fact that data often were not collected in a prospective standardized fashion, relatively small numbers of patients were involved, and the data represented the experience of single institutions. The purpose of the present prospective multicenter study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of an RF catheter ablation system in a large, consecutively screened patient population.


*    Methods
up arrowTop
up arrowAbstract
up arrowIntroduction
*Methods
down arrowResults
down arrowDiscussion
down arrowAppendix 1
down arrowReferences
 
Patient Population
The patient population included 1050 patients who participated in the Atakr Ablation System (Medtronic CardioRhythm) clinical trial and had undergone catheter ablation of AVNRT, an AP, or the AVJ at 1 of 18 institutions between 1992 and 1995.23 A total of 1136 ablation procedures were performed.

Patient Evaluation, Electrophysiology Testing, and Catheter Ablation
Before the ablation procedure, each patient gave informed consent. A history and physical examination, ECG, and echocardiogram were also obtained. Catheter ablation of AVNRT was performed with the posterior approach. An initial attempt at catheter ablation was made with the investigational ablation system (RF Ablatr or RF Marinr, Medtronic CardioRhythm) as previously reported.23 If successful ablation was not achieved, an alternate system could be used. Pacemaker implantation was performed in all patients who had undergone successful ablation of the AVJ. The programmed pacing rate after the procedure was at the discretion of the physician.

Follow-Up Evaluation
Each patient was evaluated 1, 3, 6, 12, and 24 months after ablation. Patients who experienced palpitations underwent transtelephonic monitoring. Of the 776 patients enrolled in this study who underwent successful ablation of AVNRT or an AP with the investigational ablation system, 457 (59%) underwent a follow-up electrophysiological study a mean of 2.5±0.9 months after ablation. The median duration of follow-up was 6.3 months.

Outcomes
There were 5 predetermined outcomes: ablation success, development of major complications, development of new echocardiographic abnormalities, arrhythmia recurrence, and death. Catheter ablation procedures were classified at the completion of the procedure as acutely successful or unsuccessful on the basis of whether all ablation targets had been successfully eliminated.

Complications were classified as major or minor. Major complications were defined as those that resulted in permanent injury or death, required an intervention for treatment, or prolonged the duration of hospitalization. An asymptomatic increase in the degree of valvular regurgitation by 2 or more echocardiographic grades (ie, mild to severe) was also classified as a major complication. Paired echocardiograms (before and after the procedure) were requested as part of the clinical protocol in all patients and were available for analysis in 972 patients (93%).Differences in the echocardiograms were classified as demonstrating a major change if a thrombus, new wall-motion abnormality, >=15% change in estimated ejection fraction, an increase in valvular regurgitation by >=2 grades, or the presence of a pericardial effusion was detected. A minor change in the findings on echocardiography was determined to be present if there was a 5% to 15% change in the estimated ejection fraction or if a 1-grade increase in valvular regurgitation was observed.

With the use of long-term follow-up data, patients were further classified as having a recurrence or not and as dead or alive. Analysis of arrhythmia recurrence was confined to the 887 patients in whom successful ablation was achieved with the investigational ablation system.

Statistical Methods
All tests were 2-sided, and P values <0.05 were considered significant. Regression models were used to identify variables associated with the acute result of the ablation procedure and the development of major complications (as defined above). Variables that were evaluated as potential predictors of outcome are shown in Table 1Down. Repeated analyses were also performed with the ablation centers grouped as high- or low-volume centers on the basis of whether >=40 patients had been enrolled in the protocol, and also with the centers classified either as predominantly a pediatric center or predominantly an adult center. Each variable was tested by generation of a logistic regression model to predict outcome, with only 1 variable being incorporated at a time. Variables were jointly assessed for predictive power with a forward-selection multivariate, stepwise logistic regression model.


View this table:
[in this window]
[in a new window]
 
Table 1. Predictors of Success, Complications, Recurrence, and Survival

Recurrence survival rates were estimated with the Kaplan-Meier method. Cox proportional hazards models were used to assess which factors were associated with the risk of recurrence and the risk of death.


*    Results
up arrowTop
up arrowAbstract
up arrowIntroduction
up arrowMethods
*Results
down arrowDiscussion
down arrowAppendix 1
down arrowReferences
 
Patient Characteristics
The patient population consisted of 489 males and 561 females ranging in age from 8 months to 90 years (mean age, 37±18 years). Among the entire group, 133 (13%) were <13 years of age, and 193 (18%) were between 13 and 20 years of age. Underlying heart disease was present in 270 patients (125 had hypertension, 80 had coronary artery disease, 47 had congestive heart failure, 33 had congenital heart disease, 59 had valvular heart disease, and 44 had a cardiomyopathy). The mean ejection fraction was 63±11%.

Five hundred patients underwent ablation of a single AP, 373 underwent ablation of AVNRT, and 121 underwent ablation of the AVJ. An additional 56 patients had >1 type of ablation target. Among those patients who underwent ablation of a single AP, 270 procedures involved the left free wall, 92 involved the right free wall, 98 were posteroseptal, and 40 were septal. Patients who underwent ablation of an AP were significantly younger (mean age, 27±17 years) than patients with AVNRT (44±18 years) or patients who underwent ablation of the AVJ (64±15 years; P<0.0001; Figure 1Down). Patients who underwent ablation of AVNRT were more likely to be female (70%) than were patients who underwent ablation of an AP (42%) or the AVJ (52%; P<0.001).



View larger version (37K):
[in this window]
[in a new window]
 
Figure 1. Bar graph shows distribution of patient age among patients who underwent ablation of an AP, AVNRT, or AVJ. Patients who underwent ablation of APs were significantly younger than those who underwent ablation of AVNRT or AVJ (P<0.0001).

Acute Success of Catheter Ablation
Catheter ablation was acutely successful with either the investigational or noninvestigational ablation system in 996 patients (95%; Table 2Down). The median number of RF applications was 6 (range, 1 to 98). Two ablation sessions were required in 42 patients. The success rate of catheter ablation was lower among patients who underwent ablation of an AP (93%) and highest among patients who underwent catheter ablation of the AVJ (100%), with the success rate for AVNRT falling in between (97%; P<0.001). Among patients with an AP, success rates were lower during ablation of right free wall and posteroseptal APs (90% and 88%, respectively) than during ablation of left free wall APs (95%; P=0.03). It is interesting to note that the greater difficulty of ablation of APs, particularly posteroseptal and right free wall APs, is also reflected in an increased proportion of patients who required a second ablation procedure (Table 2Down). Success with the investigational ablation system was achieved in 889 patients (85%; Table 2Down).


View this table:
[in this window]
[in a new window]
 
Table 2. Results of Catheter Ablation

When separate logistic regression models were used to assess the odds of success among the variables of interest, 9 predictors of ablation success were individually significant (P<0.05): the ablation target (AVNRT, right free wall AP, posteroseptal AP, multiple accessory APs, or AVJ), the ejection fraction, whether or not a center had >=40 patients enrolled in the study, and several specific ablation centers (Table 1Up).

Table 3Down presents the results of multivariate logistic regression analysis. Catheter ablation of the AVJ was 100% successful. Because it was a perfect predictor, it could not be included in the statistical model. Three additional factors were identified as jointly predictive of successful ablation, including the ablation target (AVNRT and left free wall APs) and the experience of the ablation center.


View this table:
[in this window]
[in a new window]
 
Table 3. Stepwide Multivariate Logistic Regression Model: Acute Success

Complications
A major complication occurred within 1 month after ablation in 32 patients (3%), and minor complications developed in 87 patients (8.2%). The type and distribution of complications are shown in Table 4Down. The most significant complications included 3 patient deaths, 2 strokes, 1 myocardial infarction, and 10 cases of complete AV block that required placement of a permanent pacemaker.


View this table:
[in this window]
[in a new window]
 
Table 4. Complications

The most common complications were the development of transient first- or second-degree AV block in 21 patients (2%) and development of complete heart block, which required pacemaker implantation, in 10 patients (1%). The development of complete heart block was related to the type of ablation procedure and occurred in 5 of 373 patients who had undergone ablation of AVNRT (1.3%) compared with 5 (1%) of 500 patients who underwent ablation of an AP. The development of complete heart block during ablation of an AP was most commonly observed after ablation of septal (1 of 40, 2.5%) and posteroseptal (3 of 98, 3%) APs but also occurred in 1 (0.3%) of 270 patients who undergone ablation of a left free wall AP. Two patients had a stroke (0.2%), 1 after ablation of a left-side AP with a transeptal approach and the second after ablation of the AVJ with a retrograde aortic approach. There were 3 deaths (within 30 days of the procedure). One patient died on the day of the ablation procedure; this 56-year-old woman, who had known coronary artery disease and an ejection fraction of 38% with a left lateral AP, died during the procedure as a result of a dissected left main coronary artery. A second patient died on the seventh day after the procedure; this 74-year-old man with an ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy (ejection fraction, 17%) had undergone an AVJ ablation and placement of a pacemaker. He died suddenly 1 week later. Ventricular fibrillation was documented by the emergency medical technicians. The third patient was a 49-year-old woman with a dilated cardiomyopathy who had undergone an AVJ ablation and pacemaker implantation after a failed attempt at ablation of atrial flutter. She died on the 14th day after the procedure. The patient was reported to be choking and was found to be in electromechanical dissociation on the arrival of paramedics. It is presumed that the patient died of a pulmonary embolus.

As identified with separate logistic regression analyses, the 3 predictors that influenced the odds of a major complication were patient age, the presence of structural heart disease, and the presence of multiple ablation targets. Table 5Down presents the results of multivariate logistic regression analysis. The 2 factors found to be jointly associated with the development of a major complication were the presence of multiple ablation targets and the presence of structural heart disease.


View this table:
[in this window]
[in a new window]
 
Table 5. Stepwise Multivariate Cox Proportional Hazards Model: Major Complications

Echocardiographic Findings
Echocardiograms were performed before and after catheter ablation in 972 patients. Six of these patients developed clinical evidence of tamponade during the ablation procedure that was subsequently confirmed with echocardiography. Among the 966 patients in whom an echocardiogram was performed solely for the purposes of this study, there was no significant change in 805 patients, a minor change in 139 patients (13%), and a major change in 22 patients (2%). The type of ablation target associated with these echocardiographic findings is shown in Table 6Down. Little correlation was noted between changes in valvular function and the specific ablation target and approach used for ablation. For example, although an increase in aortic insufficiency was observed in 20 patients, only 4 had undergone ablation via the retrograde aortic approach.


View this table:
[in this window]
[in a new window]
 
Table 6. Echocardiographic Findings

Arrhythmia Recurrence
After a successful ablation procedure, 56 (6%) of the 889 patients in whom success was achieved with the investigational ablation system developed a recurrence: 31 patients (7.8%) who had undergone ablation of an AP, 16 (4.6%) who had undergone ablation of AVNRT, and 2 (1.9%) who had undergone ablation of the AVJ (P<0.01; Table 2Up). The median time to recurrence was 35 days (range, 0 to 244 days). Figure 2Down shows Kaplan-Meier curves for recurrence based on the ablation target and also on AP location. When separate Cox proportional hazards models were used to assess the risk of a recurrence, 8 predictors were individually significant (P<0.05): whether the ablation center was pediatric or adult, patient age, the ablation target (left free wall, right free wall, septal, or multiple APs), and 2 specific ablation centers (Table 1Up). Table 7Down presents the results of the stepwise Cox proportional hazards multivariate regression analysis. The 4 factors found to be jointly predictive of the risk of recurrence were the presence of a septal, posteroseptal, or right free wall AP and the presence of multiple APs.



View larger version (23K):
[in this window]
[in a new window]
 
Figure 2. A, Kaplan-Meier curve showing freedom from arrhythmia recurrence among patients who underwent successful ablation of an AP, AVNRT, or AVJ. This analysis was confined to those patients in whom successful ablation was achieved with the investigational ablation system. B, Kaplan-Meier curve showing freedom from arrhythmia recurrence among patients who underwent successful ablation of an AP subclassified by its location. This analysis was confined to those patients in whom successful ablation was achieved with the investigational ablation system. LFW indicates left free wall; RFW, right free wall; SEP, septal; and PS, posteroseptal;.


View this table:
[in this window]
[in a new window]
 
Table 7. Stepwise Multivariate Cox Proportional Hazards Model: Recurrence

Long-Term Survival
Twenty-three patients died either in the periprocedural period or during a median follow-up of 6.3 months. Of the 23 deaths, 9 had a noncardiac cause, 8 were classified as cardiac nonarrhythmic death, 5 were classified as sudden cardiac death (including the patient who died on day 7), and 1 was due to a presumed pulmonary embolus (as described above). Of the 5 sudden deaths, 4 were known to be due to ventricular fibrillation, and the fifth was unwitnessed. The ablation target was the AVJ in each of these patients. One of these patients died suddenly 7 days after the ablation procedure, another died suddenly 10 weeks after ablation, and the remaining 3 died suddenly >5 months after ablation.

Total survival was estimated by the Kaplan-Meier method. Overall, 98% of patients were alive at 1 year of follow-up. Significant differences were observed in patient survival when analyzed according to their ablation target. Patients who had undergone ablation of the AVJ had a lower 1-year survival (86%) compared with patients who had undergone ablation of an AP or AVNRT (99% 1-year survival, P<0.001, Figure 3Down). As identified with separate Cox proportional hazards regressions, the 4 predictors of risk of death were patient age, the presence of structural heart disease, the ejection fraction percentage (analyzed as a continuous variable or dichotomized on the basis of a cutoff of 35%), and the AVJ as the ablation target (Table 1Up). The 3 factors found to be jointly predictive of the risk of death were the ejection fraction, the presence of structural heart disease, and the AVJ as the ablation target (Table 8Down).



View larger version (19K):
[in this window]
[in a new window]
 
Figure 3. Kaplan-Meier curve showing patient survival after ablation of an AP, AVNRT, or AVJ. Patients who underwent ablation of the AVJ had an 86% 1-year survival rate compared with patients who underwent ablation of either an AP or AVNRT, in whom the 1-year survival rate was 99%.


View this table:
[in this window]
[in a new window]
 
Table 8. Stepwise Multivariate Cox Proportional Hazards Model: Survival


*    Discussion
up arrowTop
up arrowAbstract
up arrowIntroduction
up arrowMethods
up arrowResults
*Discussion
down arrowAppendix 1
down arrowReferences
 
Main Findings
The present study is the first report on the safety and efficacy of catheter ablation of supraventricular arrhythmias based on the results of a prospective, multicenter clinical trial. This study is also unique because of its large size and the inclusion of data from children and adults. The results of the present study demonstrate that catheter ablation of APs, AVNRT, and the AVJ can be performed with a high level of success (95%), a low recurrence rate (6%), and a relatively low incidence of major complications (3%). This study also identifies 4 clinical variables that are jointly predictive of ablation success (AVJ, AVNRT, or left free wall AP ablation and an experienced ablation center), 4 factors that jointly predict an increased risk of arrhythmia recurrence (right free wall, posteroseptal, septal, and multiple APs), 2 clinical variables that jointly predict development of a complication (structural heart disease and the presence of multiple ablation targets), and 3 clinical variables that predict an increased risk of death (structural heart disease, lower ejection fraction, and AVJ ablation).

Factors Affecting Ablation Success and Recurrence
Successful ablation of tissue responsible for an arrhythmia with RF energy requires accurate mapping and adequate tissue heating. Catheter ablation of the AVJ was associated with the highest efficacy, followed by ablation of AVNRT and then by ablation of APs. Among APs, greater success was achieved during ablation of left free wall APs than ablation of multiple APs, posteroseptal APs, and right free wall APs. These findings can be understood if one considers the increasingly well-recognized target-dependent differences that exist in the ease of mapping and the effectiveness of tissue heating.23 24 25 26 27 Given the technical expertise required to map arrhythmias accurately and to maintain adequate catheter-tissue contact to achieve adequate tissue heating, it is perhaps not unexpected that success was more likely at more experienced ablation centers. It is also important to note that no age-related differences in ablation success were observed.

The probability of arrhythmia recurrence after a successful ablation procedure was strongly influenced by the ablation target, with recurrence being more likely after ablation of right free wall, posteroseptal, and septal APs and with multiple APs. These differences in the likelihood of arrhythmia recurrence can be explained, in large part, by the target-dependent differences in the effectiveness of tissue heating noted above.23 24 25

Complications
The incidence of major complications in this study was 3%, and the incidence of less serious complications was 8%. The most significant major complications included 3 patient deaths, 2 stroke, 1 myocardial infarction, and 10 cases of complete heart block that required placement of a permanent pacemaker. Of the 3 patient deaths, only 1 occurred as an immediate result of the ablation procedure; sudden death occurred in the other 2 patients after hospital discharge as a result of ventricular fibrillation or a presumed massive pulmonary embolus. The finding that heart block was at least as common during ablation of posteroseptal and septal APs as during ablation of AVNRT is an important reminder that ablation anywhere along the septal aspect of the tricuspid valve may result in heart block.28 The 2 factors that were identified as independent predictors of a major complication were structural heart disease and multiple ablation targets. Although the importance of structural heart disease is not surprising, the basis for the link between multiple ablation targets and complication cannot be readily explained but may reflect longer procedures, greater catheter manipulation, and physician fatigue. The results of the present study also provide evidence that catheter ablation does not result in significant valvular damage and that echocardiograms do not need to be routinely performed after ablation procedures.

Survival
The 1-year survival rate after catheter ablation was 98%. Patients who underwent ablation of the AVJ had a much lower 1-year survival rate (86%) than patients who underwent ablation of AVNRT or an AP (99%). The 3 factors identified as independent predictors of increased risk of death included ablation of the AVJ, the presence of structural heart disease, and a lower ejection fraction. The importance of ablation of the AVJ as an independent predictor of mortality is consistent with the findings of prior studies that have reported on the development of sudden cardiac death after ablation of the AVJ.20 29 30 31 It is notable that the prevalence of sudden cardiac death after ablation of the AVJ with the use of RF energy in the present study (5 of 121, 4%) was somewhat higher than was originally reported with the use of DC shock energy in the Percutaneous Cardiac Mapping and Ablation Registry (8 of 499, 1.6%).29 These findings suggest that the development of sudden cardiac death after ablation of the AVJ cannot be attributed solely to proarrhythmic effects of DC shock ablation but extend also to RF ablation. A better understanding of the specific cause of this type of complication and identification of methods to prevent late sudden cardiac death are needed before AVJ ablation becomes more widely performed. The findings from several recent studies31 32 33 suggest that the early development of malignant ventricular arrhythmias after ablation of the AVJ are pause or bradycardia dependent. Geelen and colleagues31 reported a 6% incidence of ventricular fibrillation or sudden cardiac death within 1 month after RF ablation of the AVJ when pacing rates were set to 60 bpm compared with a 0% incidence of sudden cardiac death when pacing rates were programmed to 90 bpm for the first 1 to 3 months after the procedure, with subsequent reductions of the pacing rate to 70 bpm. Although pacing rates were left to the physician's discretion in the present study and are unavailable for analysis, it is important to note that sudden cardiac death occurred within 1 month of the ablation procedure in only 1 of the 5 patients who died suddenly after ablation of the AVJ in this series.

Role of Temperature Monitoring
Because patients were not randomized to either power or temperature control, we were unable to determine whether closed-loop temperature control per se results in improved efficacy or a lower incidence of complications than catheter ablation with power control alone. However, we previously reported that applications of RF energy delivered with closed-loop temperature control are associated with a 3-fold reduction in the incidence of coagulum development compared with those delivered with the power-control mode.23 We suspect that this reduction in the likelihood of coagulum development would translate to a decrease in the incidence of thromboembolic complications.

The 95% overall success rate in the present study reflects an 85% success rate with the investigational ablation system and a need for an alternate ablation system in 10% of patients. This finding is consistent with the well-recognized clinical observation that a variety of ablation catheters are often required to achieve catheter stability and ablation success because of differences in heart size and shape and depending on the ablation target.

Comparison With Prior Reports
During the past several years, a number of studies have been published reporting the results of catheter ablation of supraventricular arrhythmias. The success, frequency of arrhythmia recurrence, and incidence of major complications reported in the present study are similar to results from prior reports of catheter ablation in adults.1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 22 In contrast, the success rates reported in the present study are higher than have previously been reported in children and adolescents according to the pediatric ablation registry.34 This difference may reflect the learning curve involved with ablation procedures as well as the vast experience of the 2 pediatric centers that participated in the present study.

Clinical Implications
The results of this study may serve as a guide to clinicians considering therapeutic options in patients who are candidates for ablation. Because we identified factors that are predictive of outcome, this study also identifies subgroups of patients most likely to have a favorable result in whom it would be reasonable for clinicians to recommend catheter ablation as first-line therapy. It is hoped that the identification of a group of patients at increased risk of death after catheter ablation will stimulate further investigation of the potential mechanisms of this important complication and lead to its resolution. The absence of a difference in the outcome of catheter ablation in children and adults provides further evidence that ablation should be considered an important therapeutic tool in children and adults34 35 36 ; however, infants are an exception, because a body weight <15 kg has been demonstrated to be associated with a higher incidence of complications.34


*    Acknowledgments
 
This study was supported in part by grant AR-20610 from the National Institutes of Health (to Dr Bloch).


*    Footnotes
 
1 A list of principal investigators and participating centers is provided in the Appendix. Back


*    Appendix 1
up arrowTop
up arrowAbstract
up arrowIntroduction
up arrowMethods
up arrowResults
up arrowDiscussion
*Appendix 1
down arrowReferences
 
Atakr Investigators and Institutions
J. Philip Saul, MD; Edward Walsh, MD—Childrens Hospital, Boston, Mass. Marcus Wharton, MD; Ronald Kanter, MD; Robert Sorrentino, MD; Ruth Ann Greenfield, MD—Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC. David Cannom, MD; Anil Bhandari, MD; Robert Lerman, MD; Kelly Tucker, MD—Good Samaritan Hospital, Los Angeles, Calif. Hugh Calkins, MD; Jack Lawrence, MD; Gordon Tomaselli, MD; Ronald Berger, MD—Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, Md. Lawrence S. Klein, MD; Kevin Hackett, MD; William Miles, MD; Doug Zipes, MD—Krannert Institute, Indianapolis, Ind. Brian Olshansky, MD; Andrew Telfer, MD—Loyola University Medical Center, Maywood, Il. Douglas Packer, MD; Stephen Hammill, MD; Win K. Shen, MD; Michael Osborn, MD; Marshall Stanton, MD; Thomas Munger, MD—Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Paul Gillette, MD; Christopher Case, MD—Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston. Eric Prystowsky, MD; Joseph Evans, MD—Northside Cardiology, Indianapolis, Ind. John Swartz, MD—St. Francis Hospital, Tulsa, Okla. Robert Bernstein, MD; John Herre, MD; John Onufer, MD—Sentara Norfolk General Hospital, Norfolk, Va. L. Bing Liem, DO; Ruey Sung, MD; Charlie Young, MD—Stanford University Medical Center, Stanford, Calif. Arjun Sharma, MD; Padraig G. O'Neil, MD; Stephen Stark, MD; Stanley Henjum, MD; Larry Wolff, MD—Sutter Memorial Hospital, Sacramento, Calif. John M. Miller, MD; Alfred Buxton, MD; Henry Hsia, MD—Temple University Medical Center, Philadelphia, Pa; G. Neal Kay, MD; Sharon Dailey, MD; Andrew Epstein, MD; Vance Plumb, MD—University of Alabama at Birmingham, University Hospital, Birmingham, Ala. Mark Carlson, MD; Albert Waldo, MD; Lee Biblo, MD; Nancy Johnson, MD; David Rosenbaum, MD—University Hospital of Cleveland, Cleveland, Ohio. Shoei K. Stephen Huang, MD; Robert Mittleman, MD; Alan Wagshal, MD; Trevor Greene, MD—University of Massachusetts Medical Center, Worcester, Mass. James Baker, MD; Frank Fish, MD; John Lee, MD; Katherine Murray, MD; Mark Wathen, MD—Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tenn.

Received April 15, 1998; revision received September 10, 1998; accepted October 1, 1998.


*    References
up arrowTop
up arrowAbstract
up arrowIntroduction
up arrowMethods
up arrowResults
up arrowDiscussion
up arrowAppendix 1
*References
 
1. Jazayeri MR, Hempe SL, Sra JS, Dhala AA, Blanck Z, Deshpande SS, Avitall B, Krum DP, Gilbert CJ, Akhtar M. Selective transcatheter ablation of the fast and slow pathways using radiofrequency energy in patients with atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia. Circulation. 1992;85:1318–1328.[Abstract/Free Full Text]

2. Lee MA, Morady F, Kadish A, Schamp DJ, Chin MC, Scheinmann MM, Griffin JC, Lesh MD, Pederson D, Goldberger J, Calkins H, deBuitleir M, Kou WH, Rosenheck S, Sousa J, Langberg JJ. Catheter modification of the atrioventricular junction with radiofrequency energy in patients with atrioventricular nodal reentry tachycardia. Circulation. 1991;83:827–835.[Abstract/Free Full Text]

3. Kottkamp H, Hindricks G, Willems S, Chen X, Reinhardt L, Haverkamp W, Breithardt G, Borggrefe M. An anatomically and electrogram-guided stepwise approach for effective and safe catheter ablation of the fast pathway for elimination of atrioventricular node reentrant tachycardia. J Am Coll Cardiol. 1995;25:974–983.[Abstract]

4. Haissaguerre M, Gaita F, Fischer B, Commenges D, Montserrat P, d'Ivernois C, Lemetayer P, Warin J-F. Elimination of atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia using discrete slow potentials to guide application of radiofrequency energy. Circulation. 1992;85:2162–2175.[Abstract/Free Full Text]

5. Jackman WM, Beckman KJ, McClelland JH, Wang X, Friday KJ, Roman CA, Moulton KP, Twidale N, Hazlitt A, Prior MI, Oren J, Overholt ED, Lazzara R. Treatment of supraventricular tachycardia due to atrioventricular nodal reentry by radiofrequency catheter ablation of slow-pathway conduction. N Engl J Med. 1992;327:313–318.[Abstract]

6. Epstein LM, Lesh MD, Griffin JC, Lee RJ, Scheinman MM. A direct midseptal approach to slow atrioventricular nodal pathway ablation. Pacing Clin Electrophysiol. 1995;18(pt 1):57–64.

7. Kalbfleisch SJ, Strickberger SA, Williamson B, Vorperian VR, Man C, Hummel JD, Langberg JJ, Morady F. Randomized comparison of anatomic and electrogram mapping approaches to ablation of the slow pathway of atrioventricular node reentrant tachycardia. J Am Coll Cardiol. 1994;23:716–723.[Abstract]

8. Kay GN, Epstein AE, Dailey SM, Plumb VJ. Role of radiofrequency ablation in the management of supraventricular arrhythmias: experience in 760 consecutive patients. J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol. 1993;4:371–389.[Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]

9. Calkins H, Sousa J, el-Atassi R, Rosenheck S, de Buitleir M, Kou WH, Kadish AH, Langberg JJ, Morady F. Diagnosis and cure of the Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome or paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardias during a single electrophysiologic test. N Engl J Med. 1991;324:1612–1618.[Abstract]

10. Jackman WM, Xunzhang W, Friday KJ, Roman CA, Moulton KP, Beckman KJ, McClelland JH, Twidale N, Hazlitt HA, Prior MI. Catheter ablation of accessory atrioventricular pathways (Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome) by radiofrequency current. N Engl J Med. 1991;324:1605–1611.[Abstract]

11. Calkins H, Langberg J, Sousa J, el-Atassi R, Leon A, Kou W, Kalbfleisch S, Morady F. Radiofrequency catheter ablation of accessory atrioventricular connections in 250 patients: abbreviated therapeutic approach to Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome. Circulation. 1992;85:1337–1346.[Abstract/Free Full Text]

12. Lesh MD, Van Hare GF, Schamp DJ, Chien W, Lee MA, Griffin JC, Lanberg JJ, Cohen TJ, Lurie KG, Scheinman MM. Curative percutaneous catheter ablation using radiofrequency energy for accessory pathways in all locations: results in 100 consecutive patients. J Am Coll Cardiol. 1992;19:1303–1309.[Abstract]

13. Chen SA, Chiang CE, Chiou CW, Yang CJ, Cheng CC, Wang SP, Chiang BN, Chang MS. Serial electrophysiologic studies in the late outcome of radiofrequency ablation for accessory atrioventricular pathway mediated tachyarrhythmias. Eur Heart J. 1993;14:734–743.[Abstract/Free Full Text]

14. Leather RA, Leitch JW, Klein GJ, Guiraudon GM, Yee R, Kim YH. Radiofrequency catheter ablation of accessory pathways: a learning experience. Am J Cardiol. 1991;68:1651–1655.[Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]

15. Swartz JF, Tracy CM, Fletcher RD. Radiofrequency endocardial catheter ablation of accessory atrioventricular pathway atrial insertion sites. Circulation. 1993;87:487–499.[Abstract/Free Full Text]

16. Haissaguerre M, Gaita F, Marcus FI, Clementy J. Radiofrequency catheter ablation of accessory pathways. J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol. 1994;5:532–552.[Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]

17. Kuck KH, Schluter M, Geiger M, Siebels J, Duckeck W. Radiofrequency current catheter ablation of accessory atrioventricular pathways. Lancet. 1991;337:1557–1561.[Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]

18. Scheinman MM, Morady F, Hess DS, Gonzales R. Catheter-induced ablation of the atrioventricular junction to control refractory supraventricular arrhythmias. JAMA. 1982;248:851–855.[Abstract/Free Full Text]

19. Trohman RG, Simmons TW, Moore SL, Firstenberg MS, Williams D, Maloney JD. Catheter ablation of the atrioventricular junction using radiofrequency energy and a bilateral cardiac approach. Am J Cardiol. 1992;70:1438–1443.[Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]

20. Morady F, Calkins H, Langberg JJ, Armstrong WF, de Buitleir M, el-Atassi R, Kalbfleisch SJ. A prospective randomized comparison of direct current and radiofrequency ablation of the atrioventricular junction. J Am Coll Cardiol. 1993;21:102–109.[Abstract]

21. Zipes DP, DiMarco JP, Gillette PC, Jackman WM, Myerburg RJ, Rahimtoola SH, Ritchie JL, Cheitlin MD, Garson A Jr, Gibbon RJ, Lewis RP, O'Rourke RA, Ryan TJ, Schlant RC. Guidelines for clinical intracardiac electrophysiological and catheter ablation procedures: a report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on Practice Guidelines. Circulation. 1995;92:673–691.

22. Scheinman MM. NASPE survey on catheter ablation. Pacing Clin Electrophysiol. 1995;18:1474–1478.[Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]

23. Calkins H, Prystowsky E, Carlson M, Klein LS, Saul JP, Gillette P. Temperature monitoring during radiofrequency catheter ablation procedures using closed loop control. Circulation. 1994;90:1279–1286.[Abstract/Free Full Text]

24. Langberg JJ, Calkins H, el-Atassi R, Borganelli M, Leon A, Kalbfleisch SJ, Morady F. Temperature monitoring during radiofrequency catheter ablation of accessory pathways. Circulation. 1992;86:1469–1474.[Abstract/Free Full Text]

25. Strickberger SA, Hummel J, Gallagher M, Hasse C, Man KC, Willamson B, Vorperian VR, Kalbfleisch SJ, Morady F, Langberg JJ. Effect of pathway location on the efficiency of heating during radiofrequency catheter ablation. Am Heart J. 1995;129:54–58.[Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]

26. Jackman WM, Friday KJ, Yeung-Lai-Wah JA, Beck B, Bowman AJ, Stelzer P, Harrison L, Lazzara R. New catheter technique for recording left free wall accessory atrioventricular pathway activation: identification of pathway fiber orientation. Circulation. 1988;78:598–610.[Abstract/Free Full Text]

27. Langberg JJ, Man KC, Vorperian VR, Williamson B, Kalbfleisch SJ, Strickberger SA, Hummel JD, Morady F. Recognition and catheter ablation of subepicardial accessory pathways. J Am Coll Cardiol. 1993;22:1100–1104.[Abstract]

28. Schaffer MS, Silka MJ, Ross BA, Kugler JD. Inadvertent atrioventricular block during radiofrequency catheter ablation. Circulation. 1996;94:3214–3220.[Abstract/Free Full Text]

29. Evans GT, Scheinman MM, and the Executive Committee of the Registry. The Percutaneous Cardiac Mapping and Ablation Registry: summary of results. PACE. 1987;10:1395–400.

30. Evans GT, Scheinman MM, Bardy G, Borggrefe M, Brugada P, Fisher J, Fontaine G, Huang SK, Huang WH, Josephson M. Predictors of in-hospital mortality after DC catheter ablation of atrioventricular junction: results of a prospective, international, multicenter study. Circulation. 1991;84:1924–1937.[Abstract/Free Full Text]

31. Geelen P, Brugada J, Andries E, Brugada P. Ventricular fibrillation and sudden death after radiofrequency catheter ablation of the atrioventricular junction. PACE. 1997;20:343–348.

32. Kappos KG, Kranidis AJ, Anthopoulos LP. Torsades de pointes following radiofrequency catheter His ablation. Int J Cardiol. 1996;57:177–179.[Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]

33. Peters RHJ, Wever EFD, Hauer RNW. Bradycardia dependent QT prolongation and ventricular fibrillation following catheter ablation of the atrioventricular junction with radiofrequency energy. Pacing Clin Electrophysiol. 1994;17:108–112.[Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]

34. Kugler JD, Danford DA, Deal BJ, Gillette PC, Perry JC, Silka MJ, Van Hare GF, Walsh EP. Radiofrequency catheter ablation for tachyarrhythmias in children and adolescents. N Engl J Med. 1994;330:1481–1487.[Abstract/Free Full Text]

35. Dick M, O'Connor BK, Serwer GA, LeRoy S, Armstrong B. Use of radiofrequency current to ablate accessory connections in children. Circulation. 1991;84:2318–2324.[Abstract/Free Full Text]

36. Tanel RE, Walsh EP, Triedman JK, Epstein MR, Bergau DM, Saul JP. Five-year experience with radiofrequency catheter ablation: implications for management of arrhythmias in pediatric and young adult patients. J Pediatr. 1997;131:878–887.This study reports the safety and efficacy of catheter ablation of atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia, an accessory pathway, or the atrioventricular junction in 1050 patients as part of a prospective, multicenter clinical trial. Catheter ablation was successful in 95% of patients. A recurrence developed in 6% of patients, and 3% of patients developed a major complication.[Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]




This article has been cited by other articles:


Home page
EuropaceHome page
Y. Hosaka, M. Chinushi, K. Takahashi, K. Ozaki, T. Yanagawa, T. Miida, H. Oda, and Y. Aizawa
Coronary vasospasm triggered ventricular fibrillation delayed after radiofrequency ablation of the right accessory pathway
Europace, November 1, 2009; 11(11): 1554 - 1556.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
EuropaceHome page
N. Y. Chan, N. S. Mok, C. L. Lau, Y. K. Lo, C. C. Choy, S. T. Lau, and Y. C. Choi
Treatment of atrioventricular nodal re-entrant tachycardia by cryoablation with a 6 mm-tip catheter vs. radiofrequency ablation
Europace, August 1, 2009; 11(8): 1065 - 1070.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
EuropaceHome page
H. Bastani, J. Schwieler, P. Insulander, F. Tabrizi, F. Braunschweig, G. Kenneback, N. Drca, B. Sadigh, and M. Jensen-Urstad
Acute and long-term outcome of cryoablation therapy of typical atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia
Europace, August 1, 2009; 11(8): 1077 - 1082.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J Am Coll CardiolHome page
R. Cappato, H. Calkins, S.-A. Chen, W. Davies, Y. Iesaka, J. Kalman, Y.-H. Kim, G. Klein, A. Natale, D. Packer, et al.
Prevalence and causes of fatal outcome in catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation.
J. Am. Coll. Cardiol., May 12, 2009; 53(19): 1798 - 1803.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J Am Coll CardiolHome page
B. Belhassen
A 1 per 1,000 mortality rate after catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation an acceptable risk?
J. Am. Coll. Cardiol., May 12, 2009; 53(19): 1804 - 1806.
[Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
EuropaceHome page
A. Bortone, S. Boveda, S. Jandaud, N. Combes, J.-P. Donzeau, E. Marijon, and J.-P. Albenque
Gradual power titration using radiofrequency energy: a safe method for slow-pathway ablation in the setting of atrioventricular nodal re-entrant tachycardia
Europace, February 1, 2009; 11(2): 178 - 183.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
EuropaceHome page
A. Da Costa
Catheter ablation procedures: role of nation-wide registries
Europace, February 1, 2009; 11(2): 133 - 134.
[Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
EuropaceHome page
B. A. Schaer, A. Maurer, C. Sticherling, P. T. Buser, and S. Osswald
Routine echocardiography after radiofrequency ablation: to flog a dead horse?
Europace, February 1, 2009; 11(2): 155 - 157.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
EuropaceHome page
A. De Sisti, J. Tonet, F. Gueffaf, F. Touil, J.-F. Leclercq, P. Aouate, J. Lacotte, F. Hidden-Lucet, and R. Frank
Effects of inadvertent atrioventricular block on clinical outcomes during cryoablation of the slow pathway in the treatment of atrioventricular nodal re-entrant tachycardia
Europace, December 1, 2008; 10(12): 1421 - 1427.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
EuropaceHome page
A. Sandilands, P. Boreham, J. Pitts-Crick, and T. Cripps
Impact of cryoablation catheter size on success rates in the treatment of atrioventricular nodal re-entry tachycardia in 160 patients with long-term follow-up
Europace, June 1, 2008; 10(6): 683 - 686.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
EuropaceHome page
L. M. Haegeli, E. Kotschet, J. Byrne, D. C. Adam, E. E. Lockwood, R. A. Leather, L. D. Sterns, and P. G. Novak
Cardiac injury after percutaneous catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation
Europace, March 1, 2008; 10(3): 273 - 275.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
JAMAHome page
J. E. Marine
Catheter Ablation Therapy for Supraventricular Arrhythmias
JAMA, December 19, 2007; 298(23): 2768 - 2778.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
EuropaceHome page
R. Showkathali, M. J. Earley, D. Gupta, M. Alzetani, S. Harris, P. M. Kistler, S. C. Sporton, and R. J. Schilling
Current case mix and results of catheter ablation of regular supraventricular tachycardia: are we giving unrealistic expectations to patients?
Europace, November 1, 2007; 9(11): 1064 - 1068.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
EuropaceHome page
P. Khairy, P. G. Novak, P. G. Guerra, I. Greiss, L. Macle, D. Roy, M. Talajic, B. Thibault, and M. Dubuc
Cryothermal slow pathway modification for atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia
Europace, October 1, 2007; 9(10): 909 - 914.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
JAMAHome page
P. Vassallo and R. G. Trohman
Prescribing Amiodarone: An Evidence-Based Review of Clinical Indications
JAMA, September 19, 2007; 298(11): 1312 - 1322.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
EuropaceHome page
N. Dagres, C. Piorkowski, H. Kottkamp, D. Th. Kremastinos, and G. Hindricks
Contemporary catheter ablation of arrhythmias in geriatric patients: patient characteristics, distribution of arrhythmias, and outcome
Europace, July 1, 2007; 9(7): 477 - 480.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
EuropaceHome page
A. De Sisti, J. Tonet, N. Barakett, J. Lacotte, J.F. Leclercq, and R. Frank
Transvenous cryo-ablation of the slow pathway for the treatment of atrioventricular nodal re-entrant tachycardia: a single-centre initial experience study
Europace, June 1, 2007; 9(6): 401 - 406.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J Am Coll CardiolHome page
C. M. Tracy, M. Akhtar, J. P. DiMarco, D. L. Packer, H. H. Weitz, M. A. Creager, D. R. Holmes Jr, G. Merli, G. P. Rodgers, C. M. Tracy, et al.
American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association 2006 Update of the Clinical Competence Statement on Invasive Electrophysiology Studies, Catheter Ablation, and Cardioversion: A Report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association/American College of Physicians Task Force on Clinical Competence and Training Developed in Collaboration With the Heart Rhythm Society
J. Am. Coll. Cardiol., October 3, 2006; 48(7): 1503 - 1517.
[Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
EuropaceHome page
G.-J. P. Kimman, D. A.M.J. Theuns, P. A. Janse, M. Rivero-Ayerza, M. F. Scholten, T. Szili-Torok, and L. J. Jordaens
One-year follow-up in a prospective, randomized study comparing radiofrequency and cryoablation of arrhythmias in Koch's triangle: clinical symptoms and event recording
Europace, August 1, 2006; 8(8): 592 - 595.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
EuropaceHome page
J. Kihel, A. D. Costa, A. Kihel, C. Romeyer-Bouchard, J. Thevenin, R. Gonthier, B. Samuel, and K. Isaaz
Long-term efficacy and safety of radiofrequency ablation in elderly patients with atrioventricular nodal re-entrant tachycardia
Europace, June 1, 2006; 8(6): 416 - 420.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
EuropaceHome page
A.S. Thornton, P. Janse, D.A.M.J. Theuns, M.F. Scholten, and L.J. Jordaens
Magnetic navigation in AV nodal re-entrant tachycardia study: early results of ablation with one- and three-magnet catheters.
Europace, April 1, 2006; 8(4): 225 - 230.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
EuropaceHome page
J. C. Nielsen, H. Kottkamp, C. Piorkowski, J.-H. Gerds-Li, H. Tanner, and G. Hindricks
Radiofrequency ablation in children and adolescents: results in 154 consecutive patients.
Europace, January 1, 2006; 8(5): 323 - 329.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
HeartHome page
N Dagres, A S Manolis, T Maounis, G Poulos, D V Cokkinos, and M Borggrefe
Site of successful slow pathway ablation relates to clinical tachycardia rate in patients with atrioventricular nodal re-entrant tachycardia
Heart, January 1, 2006; 92(1): 115 - 116.
[Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
CirculationHome page
H. J. Wellens, C. Pappone, V. Santinelli, H. J. Wellens, C. Pappone, and V. Santinelli
When to Perform Catheter Ablation in Asymptomatic Patients With a Wolff-Parkinson-White Electrocardiogram
Circulation, October 4, 2005; 112(14): 2201 - 2216.
[Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Eur. J. Cardiothorac. Surg.Home page
L. Bockeria, E. Golukhova, M. Dadasheva, A. Revishvili, A. Levant, V. Bazaev, F. Rzaev, and T. Kakuchaya
Advantages and disadvantages of one-stage and two-stage surgery for arrhythmias and Ebstein's anomaly
Eur. J. Cardiothorac. Surg., October 1, 2005; 28(4): 536 - 540.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J Am Coll CardiolHome page
F. Drago, A. De Santis, G. Grutter, and M. S. Silvetti
Transvenous cryothermal catheter ablation of re-entry circuit located near the atrioventricular junction in pediatric patients: Efficacy, safety, and midterm follow-up
J. Am. Coll. Cardiol., April 5, 2005; 45(7): 1096 - 1103.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
CirculationHome page
R. Cappato, H. Calkins, S.-A. Chen, W. Davies, Y. Iesaka, J. Kalman, Y.-H. Kim, G. Klein, D. Packer, and A. Skanes
Worldwide Survey on the Methods, Efficacy, and Safety of Catheter Ablation for Human Atrial Fibrillation
Circulation, March 8, 2005; 111(9): 1100 - 1105.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Eur Heart JHome page
B. Zrenner, J. Dong, J. Schreieck, I. Deisenhofer, H. Estner, B. Luani, M. Karch, and C. Schmitt
Transvenous cryoablation versus radiofrequency ablation of the slow pathway for the treatment of atrioventricular nodal re-entrant tachycardia: a prospective randomized pilot study
Eur. Heart J., December 2, 2004; 25(24): 2226 - 2231.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J Am Coll CardiolHome page
G. Feld, M. Wharton, V. Plumb, E. Daoud, T. Friehling, L. Epstein, and EPT-1000 XP Cardiac Ablation System Investigators
Radiofrequency catheter ablation of type 1 atrial flutter using large-tip 8- or 10-mm electrode catheters and a high-output radiofrequency energy generator: Results of a multicenter safety and efficacy study
J. Am. Coll. Cardiol., April 21, 2004; 43(8): 1466 - 1472.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Am. J. Physiol. Heart Circ. Physiol.Home page
R. Mukherjee, A. M. Parkhurst, J. T. Mingoia, S. E. Sweterlitsch, J. S. Leiser, G. P. Escobar, F. G. Spinale, and J. P. Saul
Myocardial remodeling after discrete radiofrequency injury: effects of tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase-1 gene deletion
Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol, April 1, 2004; 286(4): H1242 - H1247.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
EuropaceHome page
J. Kammeraad, F. U. ten Cate, T. Simmers, M. Emmel, F. H.M. Wittkampf, and N. Sreeram
Radiofrequency catheter ablation of atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia in children aided by the LocaLisa mapping system
Europace, January 1, 2004; 6(3): 209 - 214.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
NEJMHome page
B. B. Lerman and C. T. Basson
High-Risk Patients with Ventricular Preexcitation -- A Pendulum in Motion
N. Engl. J. Med., November 6, 2003; 349(19): 1787 - 1789.
[Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J Am Coll CardiolHome page
Committee Members, C. Blomstrom-Lundqvist, M. M. Scheinman, E. M. Aliot, J. S. Alpert, H. Calkins, A. J. Camm, W. B. Campbell, D. E. Haines, K. H. Kuck, et al.
ACC/AHA/ESC guidelines for the management of patients with supraventricular arrhythmias --executive summary: a report of the American college of cardiology/American heart association task force on practice guidelines and the European society of cardiology committee for practice guidelines (writing committee to develop guidelines for the management of patients with supraventricular arrhythmias) Developed in Collaboration with NASPE-Heart Rhythm Society
J. Am. Coll. Cardiol., October 15, 2003; 42(8): 1493 - 1531.
[Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
CirculationHome page
C. Blomstrom-Lundqvist, M. M. Scheinman, E. M. Aliot, J. S. Alpert, H. Calkins, A. J. Camm, W. B. Campbell, D. E. Haines, K. H. Kuck, B. B. Lerman, et al.
ACC/AHA/ESC Guidelines for the Management of Patients With Supraventricular Arrhythmias*--Executive Summary: A Report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on Practice Guidelines and the European Society of Cardiology Committee for Practice Guidelines (Writing Committee to Develop Guidelines for the Management of Patients With Supraventricular Arrhythmias)
Circulation, October 14, 2003; 108(15): 1871 - 1909.
[Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Eur Heart JHome page
Committee Members, C. Blomstrom-Lundqvist, M. M Scheinman, E. M Aliot, J. S Alpert, H. Calkins, A.J. Camm, W.B. Campbell, D. E Haines, K. H Kuck, et al.
ACC/AHA/ESC guidelines for the management of patients with supraventricular arrhythmias--executive summary: A Report of the American College of Cardiology/American HeartAssociation Task Force on Practice Guidelines and the European Society of Cardiology Committee for Practice Guidelines(Writing Committee to Develop Guidelines for the Management of Patients With Supraventricular Arrhythmias)Developed in collaboration with NASPE-Heart Rhythm Society
Eur. Heart J., October 2, 2003; 24(20): 1857 - 1897.
[Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
RadioGraphicsHome page
B. Ghaye, D. Szapiro, J.-N. Dacher, L.-M. Rodriguez, C. Timmermans, D. Devillers, and R. F. Dondelinger
Percutaneous Ablation for Atrial Fibrillation: The Role of Cross-sectional Imaging
RadioGraphics, October 1, 2003; 23(90001): S19 - 33.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J Am Coll CardiolHome page
N. Dagres, J. R. Clague, G. Breithardt, and M. Borggrefe
Significant gender-related differences in radiofrequency catheter ablation therapy
J. Am. Coll. Cardiol., September 17, 2003; 42(6): 1103 - 1107.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J Am Coll CardiolHome page
M. D. Cheitlin, W. F. Armstrong, G. P. Aurigemma, G. A. Beller, F. Z. Bierman, J. L. Davis, P. S. Douglas, D. P. Faxon, L. D. Gillam, T. R. Kimball, et al.
ACC/AHA/ASE 2003 guideline update for the clinical application of echocardiography: summary article: a report of the American college of cardiology/American heart association task force on practice guidelines (ACC/AHA/ASE committee to update the 1997 guidelines for the clinical application of echocardiography)
J. Am. Coll. Cardiol., September 3, 2003; 42(5): 954 - 970.
[Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
CirculationHome page
M. D. Cheitlin, W. F. Armstrong, G. P. Aurigemma, G. A. Beller, F. Z. Bierman, J. L. Davis, P. S. Douglas, D. P. Faxon, L. D. Gillam, T. R. Kimball, et al.
ACC/AHA/ASE 2003 Guideline Update for the Clinical Application of Echocardiography: Summary Article: A Report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on Practice Guidelines (ACC/AHA/ASE Committee to Update the 1997 Guidelines for the Clinical Application of Echocardiography)
Circulation, September 2, 2003; 108(9): 1146 - 1162.
[Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
CirculationHome page
J. D. Ferguson and J. P. DiMarco
Contemporary Management of Paroxysmal Supraventricular Tachycardia
Circulation, March 4, 2003; 107(8): 1096 - 1099.
[Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
SEMIN CARDIOTHORAC VASC ANESTHHome page
C. J. Tack
Insulin Resistance and Acute Cardiovascular Complications
Seminars in Cardiothoracic and Vascular Anesthesia, March 1, 2003; 7(1): 85 - 90.
[PDF]


Home page
J Am Coll CardiolHome page
D. M. Todd, G. J. Klein, A. D. Krahn, A. C. Skanes, and R. Yee
Asymptomatic Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome: is it time to revisit guidelines?
J. Am. Coll. Cardiol., January 15, 2003; 41(2): 245 - 248.
[Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
EuropaceHome page
H. A. Kopelman, S. P. Prater, F. Tondato, N. A. F. Chronos, and N. S. Peters
Slow pathway catheter ablation of atrioventricular nodal re-entrant tachycardia guided by electroanatomical mapping: a randomized comparison to the conventional approach
Europace, January 1, 2003; 5(2): 171 - 174.
[Abstract] [PDF]


Home page
EuropaceHome page
N. Bottoni, C. Tomasi, P. Donateo, G. Lolli, N. Muią, F. Croci, D. Oddone, C. Menozzi, and M. Brignole
Clinical and electrophysiological characteristics in patients with atrioventricular reentrant and atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia
Europace, January 1, 2003; 5(3): 225 - 229.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
CMAJHome page
P. Khairy and S. Nattel
New insights into the mechanisms and management of atrial fibrillation
Can. Med. Assoc. J., October 29, 2002; 167(9): 1012 - 1020.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med SciHome page
W. S. Aronow
Management of the Older Person With Atrial Fibrillation
J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci, June 1, 2002; 57(6): M352 - M363.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
EuropaceHome page
A. S. Manolis, T. Maounis, V. Vassilikos, J. Chiladakis, and D. V. Cokkinos
Arrhythmia recurrences are rare when the site of radiofrequency ablation of the slow pathway is medial or anterior to the coronary sinus os
Europace, January 1, 2002; 4(2): 193 - 199.
[Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
CirculationHome page
A. D. Blaufox, G. L. Felix, and J. P. Saul
Radiofrequency Catheter Ablation in Infants <=18 Months Old: When Is It Done and How Do They Fare?: Short-Term Data From the Pediatric Ablation Registry
Circulation, December 4, 2001; 104(23): 2803 - 2808.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
CirculationHome page
K. Perisinakis, J. Damilakis, N. Theocharopoulos, E. Manios, P. Vardas, and N. Gourtsoyiannis
Accurate Assessment of Patient Effective Radiation Dose and Associated Detriment Risk From Radiofrequency Catheter Ablation Procedures
Circulation, July 3, 2001; 104(1): 58 - 62.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J Am Coll CardiolHome page
S. Viskin, R. Fish, A. Glick, M. Glikson, M. Eldar, and B. Belhassen
The adenosine triphosphate test: a bedside diagnostic tool for identifying the mechanism of supraventricular tachycardia in patients with palpitations
J. Am. Coll. Cardiol., July 1, 2001; 38(1): 173 - 177.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J Am Coll CardiolHome page
S. Willems, C. Weiss, M. Shenasa, R. Ventura, M. Hoffmann, and T. Meinertz
Optimized mapping of slow pathway ablation guided by subthreshold stimulation: a randomized prospective study in patients with recurrent atrioventricular nodal re-entrant tachycardia
J. Am. Coll. Cardiol., May 1, 2001; 37(6): 1645 - 1650.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
HeartHome page
H. Calkins
ELECTROPHYSIOLOGY: Radiofrequency catheter ablation of supraventricular arrhythmias
Heart, May 1, 2001; 85(5): 594 - 600.
[Full Text]


Home page
Eur Heart JHome page
H. Calkins
Catheter ablation of accessory pathways is associated with an excellent long-term prognosis
Eur. Heart J., April 1, 2001; 22(7): 532 - 533.
[PDF]


Home page
Eur Heart JHome page
J Schlapfer and M Fromer
Late clinical outcome after successful radiofrequency catheter ablation of accessory pathways
Eur. Heart J., April 1, 2001; 22(7): 605 - 609.
[Abstract] [PDF]


Home page
J Am Coll CardiolHome page
P. Alboni, C. Tomasi, C. Menozzi, N. Bottoni, N. Paparella, G. Fuca, M. Brignole, and R. Cappato
Efficacy and safety of out-of-hospital self-administered single-dose oral drug treatment in the management of infrequent, well-tolerated paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia
J. Am. Coll. Cardiol., February 1, 2001; 37(2): 548 - 553.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
CirculationHome page
H. Bertram, R. Bokenkamp, M. Peuster, G. Hausdorf, and T. Paul
Coronary Artery Stenosis After Radiofrequency Catheter Ablation of Accessory Atrioventricular Pathways in Children With Ebstein's Malformation
Circulation, January 30, 2001; 103(4): 538 - 543.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Eur Heart JHome page
P. Loh and G Breithardt
'Slow pathway' ablation in patients with atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia: do we understand what we are doing?
Eur. Heart J., January 1, 2001; 22(1): 19 - 21.
[PDF]


Home page
Eur Heart JHome page
J.R. Clague, N. Dagres, H. Kottkamp, G. Breithardt, and M. Borggrefe
Targeting the slow pathway for atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia: initial results and long-term follow-up in 379 consecutive patients
Eur. Heart J., January 1, 2001; 22(1): 82 - 88.
[Abstract] [PDF]


Home page
Eur Heart JHome page
Y.-G. Li, G. Gronefeld, B. Bender, C. Machura, and S.H. Hohnloser
Risk of development of delayed atrioventricular block after slow pathway modification in patients with atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia and a pre-existing prolonged PR interval
Eur. Heart J., January 1, 2001; 22(1): 89 - 95.
[Abstract] [PDF]


Home page
ANN INTERN MEDHome page
C. H.F. Cheng, G. D. Sanders, M. A. Hlatky, P. Heidenreich, K. M. McDonald, B. K. Lee, M. S. Larson, and D. K. Owens
Cost-Effectiveness of Radiofrequency Ablation for Supraventricular Tachycardia
Ann Intern Med, December 5, 2000; 133(11): 864 - 876.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
CirculationHome page
A. C. Skanes, M. Dubuc, G. J. Klein, B. Thibault, A. D. Krahn, R. Yee, D. Roy, P. Guerra, and M. Talajic
Cryothermal Ablation of the Slow Pathway for the Elimination of Atrioventricular Nodal Reentrant Tachycardia
Circulation, December 5, 2000; 102(23): 2856 - 2860.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J Am Coll CardiolHome page
C. M. Tracy, M. Akhtar, J. P. DiMarco, D. L. Packer, H. H. Weitz, W. L. Winters, J. L. Achord, A. W. Boone, J. W. Hirshfeld Jr, B. H. Lorell, et al.
American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Clinical Competence Statement on invasive electrophysiology studies, catheter ablation, and cardioversion: A report of the american college of cardiology/american heart association/american college of physicians-american society of internal medicine task force on clinical competence
J. Am. Coll. Cardiol., November 1, 2000; 36(5): 1725 - 1736.
[Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
CirculationHome page
C. M. Tracy, M. Akhtar, J. P. DiMarco, D. L. Packer, H. H. Weitz, W. L. Winters, J. L. Achord, A. W. Boone, J. W. Hirshfeld Jr, B. H. Lorell, et al.
American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Clinical Competence Statement on Invasive Electrophysiology Studies, Catheter Ablation, and Cardioversion : A Report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association/American College of Physicians-American Society of Internal Medicine Task Force on Clinical Competence
Circulation, October 31, 2000; 102(18): 2309 - 2320.
[Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
BMJHome page
N. S Peters
Catheter ablation for cardiac arrhythmias
BMJ, September 23, 2000; 321(7263): 716 - 717.
[Full Text]


Home page
J Am Coll CardiolHome page
H. Calkins, A. Epstein, D. Packer, A. M. Arria, J. Hummel, D. M. Gilligan, J. Trusso, M. Carlson, R. Luceri, H. Kopelman, et al.
Catheter ablation of ventricular tachycardia in patients with structural heart disease using cooled radiofrequency energy: Results of a prospective multicenter study
J. Am. Coll. Cardiol., June 1, 2000; 35(7): 1905 - 1914.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
EuropaceHome page
J. L. Merino, R. Peinado, L. Ramirez, I. Echeverria, and J. A. Sobrino
Ablation of idiopathic ventricular tachycardia by bipolar radiofrequency current application between the left aortic sinus and the left ventricle
Europace, January 1, 2000; 2(4): 350 - 354.
[Abstract] [PDF]


Home page
Eur Heart JHome page
N. Dagres, J.R. Clague, H. Kottkamp, G. Hindricks, G. Breithardt, and M. Borggrefe
Radiofrequency catheter ablation of accessory pathways. Outcome and use of antiarrhythmic drugs during follow-up
Eur. Heart J., December 2, 1999; 20(24): 1826 - 1832.
[Abstract] [PDF]


Home page
Arch. Dis. Child.Home page
C. WREN
Catheter ablation in paediatric arrhythmias
Arch. Dis. Child., August 1, 1999; 81(2): 102 - 104.
[Full Text]


This Article
Right arrow Abstract Freely available
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Right arrow Citation Map
Services
Right arrow Email this article to a friend
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrowRequest Permissions
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via HighWire
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Calkins, H.
Right arrow Articles by Prystowsky, E.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by Calkins, H.
Right arrow Articles by Prystowsky, E.
Related Collections
Right arrow Ablation/ICD/surgery
Right arrow Arrhythmias, clinical electrophysiology, drugs