Radiofrequency catheter ablation in the treatment of supraventricular tachycardia in the elderly.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of radiofrequency catheter ablation for the treatment of supraventricular tachycardias in an elderly (> or = 70 years of age) group of patients.

BACKGROUND: Supraventricular tachycardias are the most common form of cardiac arrhythmia and affect all age groups. Although usually well tolerated in youth, supraventricular tachycardias may be associated with disabling symptoms and have life-threatening potential in the elderly. In addition, antiarrhythmic agents are less well tolerated and may be associated with a higher incidence of toxicity in the elderly.

METHODS: From May 1989 to March 1993, 454 patients underwent a radiofrequency catheter ablation procedure at the University of California, San Francisco, for the treatment of symptomatic supraventricular tachycardia. Sixty-seven of these patients were > or = 70 years of age and constituted the study group. Patients underwent one of the following catheter ablation procedures: complete atrioventricular (AV) junctional ablation for ventricular rate control in patients with atrial fibrillation (37 patients), AV node modification for the treatment of AV node reentrant tachycardia (17 patients), accessory pathway ablation (9 patients), ablation of the "slow zone" to cure atrial flutter (4 patients) and atrial tachycardia ablation (1 patient). One patient underwent ablation for both AV node reentrant tachycardia and atrial flutter.

RESULTS: Success was achieved in 67 (98.5%) of 68 ablation procedures. There were no procedural or early deaths. The overall complication rate was 7.4%, and only one patient (1.5%) had long-term sequelae (permanent cardiac pacing for complete heart block). At a mean (+/- SD) follow-up of 22.1 +/- 12.9 months, 63 (94%) of 67 patients were alive, with no antiarrhythmic agents for the treatment of their presenting arrhythmia.

CONCLUSIONS: In this series radiofrequency catheter ablation appears to be an effective and safe treatment option for elderly patients (> or = 70 years of age) with a variety of symptomatic, drug-resistant supraventricular tachycardias. Because of the high incidence of severe symptoms associated with tachycardic episodes, the expense and the possible severe proarrhythmic problems associated with antiarrhythmic medications in this age group, catheter ablation may be considered an early rather than a "last resort" treatment option.