Two-catheter approach for ablation of accessory pathways in different locations.

ABSTRACT

Radiofrequency ablation is the treatment of choice for patients with Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome and symptomatic tachyarrhythmias. The technique involves localising the pathway with multiple catheters at various sites followed by radiofrequency energy application at that site. Single catheter approach has been described for ablation of manifest left-sided accessory pathways. In this article, we report the ablation of accessory pathways in different locations in patients with Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome by using a two-catheter approach. Twenty-three consecutive patients with symptomatic Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome were taken up for radiofrequency ablation with this approach. Pathways could be successfully ablated in 11 out of 13 patients with left free wall, 5 out of 7 with right posteroseptal, one patient of left posteroseptal and each of the 2 patients of right mid septal locations giving an overall success in 19/23 (82.6%) patients. Hence, two-catheter approach can be used safely to ablate accessory pathways in different locations with high success rate, thus minimising the procedure time associated with conventional approach.