Late cure after radiofrequency catheter ablation in a pediatric patient

J Cardiovasc Med (Hagerstown). 2006 May;7(5):356-61. doi: 10.2459/01.JCM.0000223259.54803.3f.

Abstract

A 12-year-old female with the Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome underwent an electrophysiologic study followed by radiofrequency catheter ablation of the left-lateral accessory pathway. After several unsuccessful attempts, the procedure was stopped because of early recurrence of accessory pathway conduction. Twenty-four hours after the procedure, the patient was found without ventricular pre-excitation pattern on the electrocardiogram. During a 12-month follow-up, the Wolff-Parkinson-White pattern was no longer present. A transesophageal electrophysiologic study showed no further tachycardia induction and the patient is still asymptomatic. This report raises the issue that ablation-induced lesions may evolve considerably during the first few days after ablation, leading to either recurrent accessory pathway conduction or long-lasting complete cure.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Catheter Ablation / adverse effects*
  • Child
  • Echocardiography
  • Electrocardiography
  • Electrophysiologic Techniques, Cardiac
  • Female
  • Heart Conduction System / physiopathology*
  • Heart Conduction System / surgery
  • Humans
  • Recurrence
  • Tachycardia / etiology*
  • Tachycardia / physiopathology
  • Tachycardia / surgery
  • Time Factors
  • Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome / complications
  • Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome / physiopathology
  • Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome / surgery*