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Underlying Heart Rhythm after Catheter Ablation of the Atrioventricular Conduction System
Author(s) -
VIJGEN JOHAN,
ECTOR HUGO,
GEEST HILAIRE DE
Publication year - 1990
Publication title -
journal of cardiovascular electrophysiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.193
H-Index - 138
eISSN - 1540-8167
pISSN - 1045-3873
DOI - 10.1111/j.1540-8167.1990.tb01061.x
Subject(s) - medicine , asymptomatic , cardiology , catheter ablation , rhythm , ablation , atrioventricular block , supraventricular arrhythmia , heart block , atrioventricular node , anesthesia , catheter , effective refractory period , fulguration , electrical conduction system of the heart , atrial fibrillation , surgery , electrocardiography , tachycardia
Underlying Heart Rhythm after Catheter Ablation of the Atrioventricular Conduction System . Catheter fulguration was used to treat 30 patients with refractory supraventricular arrhythmias. Persistent complete heart block was achieved in 23 patients (77%). Two patients (6%) have intermittent complete heart block, and remain asymptomatic without additional drug therapy. In one patient, AV conduction resumed, but the patient became asymptomatic with previously ineffective drugs. The procedure was ineffective in four patients (13%). To assess the long‐term stability of the subsidiary escape rhythm, we describe the underlying heart rhythm, after pacemaker inhibition by chest wall stimulation, on 125 occasions in 25 patients with complete heart block. The mean follow‐up period was 30 months (range: 2–79 months). Ten patients (40%) did have an escape rhythm on every assessment. The cycle length of the subsidiary escape rhythm was 1,380 ± 421 msec (mean $ SD). Catheter ablation of the AV junction should only he used as a last resort, hecause of the possible induction of a pacemaker dependent state. A reliable escape rhythm was present in only 40% of the patients. ( J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol, Vol. 1, pp. 209–213, June 1990 )