Electrophysiologic characteristics and anatomical complexities of accessory atrioventricular pathways with successful ablation of anterograde and retrograde conduction at different sites

Adenosine-sensitive decremental conduction over short non-decremental atrioventricular accessory pathways after radiofrequency ablation: case series

Introduction

Decremental conduction in short anterograde atrioventricular accessory pathways (AV-APs) is rare.

Case presentation

We report on two cases with radiofrequency (RF) ablation of anterograde fast non-decremental AV-AP conduction. In Case 1, electrophysiological testing revealed fast non-decremental conduction over an anterograde short right posteroseptal AV-AP. During ablation, latent pre-excitation due to anterograde adenosine-sensitive slow decremental conduction over the same AV-AP manifested after eliminating its non-decremental conduction. Complete abolition of AP conduction was achieved by additional ablation. In Case 2, overt pre-excitation disappeared after the first ablation session for an anterograde short non-decremental right mid-septal AV-AP. However, latent pre-excitation due to markedly decremental conduction over the same AV-AP unmasked by intravenous adenosine and atrial pacing manoeuvers could be eliminated in a second session.

Discussion

This report describes unusual anterograde short non-decremental AV-APs, developing markedly slow adenosine-sensitive decremental conduction during ablation. Such AV-AP conduction properties due to RF injury may be overlooked and mask incomplete ablation and point-out careful testing including stimulation techniques and low and higher dose adenosine administration post-ablation.

Sequential Anterograde and Retrograde Conduction Block during Radiofrequency Ablation of an Accessory Pathway

We present an interesting image showing sequential loss of anterograde, and subsequently, retrograde conduction during radiofrequency ablation of an accessory pathway. We discuss the possible mechanisms and prior literature concerning this interesting finding.

The impact of age on the electrophysiological characteristics and different arrhythmia patterns in patients with Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome

INTRODUCTION

Information about the impact of age on the electrophysiological characteristics of accessory pathways (APs) in patients with Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) syndrome remains limited.

METHODS AND RESULTS

A total of 1,885 consecutive patients (mean age 43 ± 17 years, male 61.5%) with WPW syndrome who were referred to the tertiary center for an electrophysiological study and radiofrequency catheter ablation were investigated. The patients were divided into 4 groups based on their age (Group 1: <20; Group 2: 20-39; Group 3: 40-59; Group 4: ≧60 years old). With age, more left-sided APs (53.2%, 67.7%, 71.7%, 75.7%, P < 0.001) and a longer duration of the arrhythmia (4.3 ± 2.8 years, 10.1 ± 7.0 years, 12.4 ± 10.9 years, 14.0 ± 12.4 years, P < 0.001) were noted. The incidence of concealed APs (53.5%, 53.0%, 57.8%, 60.9%, P = 0.01), and orthodromic atrioventricular (AV) reentrant tachycardia (92.4%, 94.2%, 96.5%, 96.3%, P = 0.023) increased with age. The tachycardia cycle length, antegrade (275.5 ± 42.2 ms, 286.7 ± 62.7 ms, 302.5 ± 66.5 ms, 315.2 ± 80.2 ms, P < 0.001) and retrograde AP effective refractory periods (APERPs) (254.0 ± 42.5 ms, 263.3 ± 51.8 ms, 274.5 ± 100.5 ms, 292.7 ± 57.0 ms, P < 0.001), atrial ERP, antegrade AV node effective refractory period (AVNERP), and ventricular effective refractory period (VERP) lengthened as the age increased. The incidence of decremental APs, multiple APs, and a catecholamine response were similar. The duration of the catheter ablation, total fluoroscopy time, acute success rate, complication rate, and incidence of a secondary procedure were similar between the different age groups.

CONCLUSION

The electrophysiological characteristics and pattern of the arrhythmic attack associated with the AP changed with age.

Clinical recurrences after successful accessory pathway ablation: the role of "dormant" accessory pathways

INTRODUCTION

Recurrence of clinical symptoms after radiofrequency catheter ablation of an accessory atrioventricular pathway (AP) may be due to the late manifestation of an additional AP that was not detected during the initial ablation session. It was the purpose of this study to elucidate the phenomenon of these "dormant" APs.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Of 1280 consecutive patients who underwent radiofrequency catheter ablation of an AP, 54 patients (4.2%) developed clinical symptoms postablation, necessitating a repeat ablation session. Recurrence of conduction over the AP targeted at the initial ablation session was found in 45 patients, whereas in the other 9 patients (0.7%) the manifestation of a previously unnoticed AP had caused symptom recurrence. Retrospective analysis of the data from these patients' ablation sessions revealed that the late manifesting AP was ablated at a site clearly different from that of the initially targeted AP, and that the manifestation of conduction over a previously "dormant" AP occurred significantly later than the recovery of a presumably ablated AP. Seven (78%) of the 9 "dormant" APs were concealed, and none exhibited decremental conduction properties.

CONCLUSION

The incidence of clinical recurrences mediated by the late manifestation of conduction over a previously "dormant" AP is low. The lack of an anatomic vicinity of these predominantly concealed APs with the initially targeted AP and the lack of evidence for their presence during the initial ablation session suggest intermittent conduction as the most likely explanation for their late manifestation.

Role of the surface electrocardiogram in the diagnosis of patients with supraventricular tachycardia

In this era of interventional electrophysiology, the accuracy of the electrocardiogram in diagnosis of supraventricular tachycardia could be improved by detailed endocardial mapping and confirmed by results of radiofrequency catheter ablation. This article describes the electrocardiographic characteristics for different types of supraventricular tachycardia: atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter, atrial tachycardia, atrioventricular reciprocating tachycardia using an accessory pathway, and atrioventricular node reentrant tachycardia. Several limitations, including the identification of P wave morphologies and polarities and separation between the terminal part of T wave and P wave during tachycardia, should be resolved before an accurate algorithm of the 12-lead surface electrocardiogram is developed for the diagnosis of supraventricular tachycardia.