Effect on coronary artery anatomy of radiofrequency catheter ablation of atrial insertion sites of accessory pathways

• Published in: Journal of the American College of Cardiology 1993-05, Vol.21 (6), p.1440-1444
• Main Authors: Solomon, Allen J., Tracy, Cynthia M., Swartz, John F., Reagan, Kathleen M., Karasik, Pamela E., Fletcher, Ross D.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Biological and medical sciences; Catheter Ablation; Child; Coronary Angiography; Coronary Vessels - anatomy & histology; Diseases of the cardiovascular system; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Heart Atria - surgery; Heart Conduction System - diagnostic imaging; Heart Conduction System - surgery; Humans; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Radiotherapy. Instrumental treatment. Physiotherapy. Reeducation. Rehabilitation, orthophony, crenotherapy. Diet therapy and various other treatments (general aspects)
• ISSN: 0735-1097; 1558-3597
• DOI: 10.1016/0735-1097(93)90321-Q

Objectives. The purpose of this study was to analyze the effects of radiofrequency catheter ablation of the atrial insertion site of accessory pathways on the angiographie appearance of coronary arteries. Background. Radiofrequency catheter ablation of accessory pathways requires the application of energy to the endocardial surface of the atrioventricular groove adjacent to the major epicardial coronary arteries. A systematic analysis of the effect of radiofrequency ablation on coronary arteries has not previously been demonstrated. Methods. Seventy consecutive patients with 76 accessory pathways (7 right free wall, 44 left free wall, 12 posteroseptal, 8 anteroseptal and 5 midseptal) were studied. Quantitative coronary angiography was performed before, immediately after and a mean of 69 ± 42 days after radiofrequency catheter ablation. Results. Coronary artery diameter adjacent to the ablating electrode was 2.6 ± 0.9 mm before ablation, 2.7 ± 0.9 mm immediately after ablation and 2.7 ±1.0 mm at the time of follow-up study. Angiographie findings were unchanged from baseline in 69 of 70 patients immediately after ablation and in all 70 patients at the time of follow-up Study. Conclusions. Radiofrequency catheter ablation of the atrial insertion site of accessory pathways does not result in short-term angiographie changes in coronary artery anatomy.