Short-term Result of Radiofrequency Catheter Ablation in Pediatric Patients with Paroxysmal Tachycardia

Purpose : To find out the efficacy, safety and early complication of radiofrequency catheter ablation(RFCA) in pediatric patients with paroxysmal tachycardia, we compared short-term results of RFCA in pediatric patients to adult patients. Methods : We studied 25 patients(11 pediatric patients, 14 adult patients), who underwent RFCA due to paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia(PSVT) or idiopathic ventricular tachycardia(VT) from November 1997 to August 1998. We evaluated PSVT or idiopathic VT mechanism and compared total procedure times, total energy durations and complication rates between pediatric patients and adult patients. Results : Among the 25 patients, the mechanisms of tachycardia were atrioventricular reentrant tachycardias in 14 patients, atrioventricular nodal reentrant in 10 patients and idiopathic left ventricular in 1 patient. Among the 11 pediatric patients, atrioventricular reentrant was found in 9 patients, atrioventricular nodal reentrant in 1 patient and idiopathic left ventricular in 1 patient. while among the 14 adult patients, atrioventricular reentrant was found in 5 patients and atrioventricular nodal reentrant in 9 patients. Total procedure time was 190±52 minutes in pediatric patients and 161±49 minutes in adult patients(P=0.17). Total energy duration was 244±223 seconds in pediatric patients and 187±122 seconds in adult patients(P=0.45). There were no major complications related to RFCA except minor hematomas at puncture sites. Conclusion : Considering the total procedure time, total energy duration and complication rates, there were no significant differences between pediatric patients and adult patients. RFCA showed relatively high success rate and one recurrence after initial success. Thus, we consider RFCA is as a good therapeutic modality which can cure tachycardia, especially PSVT. (J Korean Pediatr Soc 2000;43:203-209)