Background: Ablation of accessory pathways (APs) is the cornerstone for treatment of patients with Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome and manifestation of atrioventricular reentrant tachycardia. Pulsed field ablation (PFA) is a new type of nonthermal energy source delivered to the underlying tissue via the ablation catheter and used for ablation of arrhythmic substrates.
Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the efficiency and long-term outcome of ablation of APs of different localizations using a focal pulsed electrical field.
Methods: Electrophysiological study was performed in patients with indication for AP ablation. An ablation catheter was used to map the position of AP insertion. Pulsed electric field was delivered through a standard ablation catheter. In left-sided APs, the first ablation attempt was within the coronary sinus (CS). Patient follow-up was scheduled 1-3 months after the ablation. Additional check-up was performed after 6 and 12 months.
Results: Fourteen 14 patients (3 pediatric) were treated. Termination of AP conduction was achieved in all procedures. The cohort consisted of 3 right free wall, 3 posteroseptal, and 8 left-sided APs. Ablation through CS was successfully used in 7 of 8 patients with left-sided APs. No complications were reported. Median follow-up was 5.5 months. Conduction recurrence through AP was documented in 1 patient.
Conclusion: Focal PFA for AP shows promising results in terms of efficacy and safety. A high rate of successful termination of left-sided APs by ablation within CS may represent a new standard approach. The safety and efficacy profile of PFA seems to be transferable to the pediatric population.
Keywords: Accessory pathway; Coronary sinus; Focal catheter; Pediatric electrophysiology; Pulsed field ablation; Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome.
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