Abstract
Background: Literature reports 5% of recurrence/ failure in pediatric
accessory pathway ablations. Our aim was to investigate the reasons
underlying this finding and share techniques to obtain long term
success. Methods: Thirty-nine pediatric patients referred for a repeat
procedure were analyzed: characteristics of the pathways and the initial
and redo procedures were identified. Results: Mean age was 11.9 ± 3.3
years (59% males). Three patients (8%) had multiple accessory
pathways. The most frequent location was left lateral (26%). Left sided
pathway recurrence was caused mainly by poor contact (60%) and
inadequate mapping (40%). For right lateral accessory pathways, poor
contact accounted for 70% of failures. For antero-septal and
para-hisian locations, the use of cryoablation and choice of low
radiofrequency energy delivery accounted for > 75% of
failures. Long-term success strategies included choice of contact force
catheters and radiofrequency applications at the ventricular insertion
of the pathway and in the aortic coronary cusps. In postero-septal
substrates, the main reason accounting for failure was deep or
epicardial location of the pathway (37%), solved by using an irrigated
tip catheter or applying lesions within the coronary sinus, or
applications from both right and left postero-septal areas. Conclusion:
Acute failure and post-procedure recurrence in pediatric accessory
pathway ablations have multiple reasons related to the characteristics
of the pathway and the technology available. Accurate understanding of
the anatomy, careful mapping and pacing maneuvers, and incorporation of
new technologies contribute to achieve a definitive success in
> 98% of procedures.