CATHETER ABLATION - PRESENT ROLE AND PROJECTED IMPACT ON HEALTH-CARE FOR PATIENTS WITH CARDIAC-ARRHYTHMIAS

Catheter ablation of the atrioventricular junction was first introduced almost 10 years ago and was used primarily to control patients with drug-refractory supraventricular tachycardia. More recently, techniques have been introduced for safe and effective catheter ablation of accessory pathways and for attenuation of atrioventricular nodal conduction in patients with atrioventricular nodal reentry. These techniques have largely obviated the need for cardiac surgery in patients with paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia. Catheter treatment of ventricular tachycardia associated with coronary artery disease remains difficult. Excellent results have been achieved with catheter techniques for patients with bundle branch reentry or tachycardia originating from the right ventricle. Catheter ablative techniques have made an enormous impact on therapy of patients with cardiac arrhythmias.