[Radiofrequency catheter ablation in pediatric population: clinical, electrophysiological and therapeutic characteristics in a Peruvian pediatric hospital].

Abstract

Objective: This study aims to describe the clinical, electrophysiological and therapeutic characteristics of pediatric patients with supraventricular tachycardia undergoing radiofrequency ablation.

Materials and methods: Observational, descriptive, retrospective study of children admitted for supraventricular tachycardia treatment at the Instituto Nacional de Salud del Niño during 2018 to 2021.

Results: Data from 62 procedures were collected, corresponding to 59 patients (mean age: 9.91 years, 61% male), 23% of procedures were performed in patients under 15kg, and two were in patients under 5kg. 63% of patients had a structurally normal heart, while 37% had some type of congenital heart disease, the most common being Ebstein's anomaly. The most widely used group of drugs were beta-blockers, mainly propranolol. Among the arrhythmias treated, 21.7% had preexcitation Syndrome, 33.3% had at least one hidden accessory pathway, 5% corresponded to permanent reciprocating junctional tachycardia, 5% intranodal tachycardia, 11.7% atrial tachycardia, 10 % atrial flutter, 5% had other types of tachycardia and in 5 cases no tachycardia was induced. Of the total procedures, 76% corresponded to electrophysiological study and ablation, four patients recurred.

Conclusions: The most common supraventricular tachycardia substrate in children was the presence of some accessory pathway. Radiofrequency catheter ablation could be applied in children with a high success rate and a low complication rate.