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Minerva Cardioangiologica 2002 June;50(3):189-208

Copyright © 2002 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

language: English

Catheter ablation for cardiac arrhythmias

Lickfett L., Calkins H.

The clinical introduction of catheter ablation in 1981 revolutionized the treatment of cardiac arrhythmias. Implementation of radiofrequency as an alternative energy source, with the advantages of higher selectivity and less collateral damage, provided an expansion of catheter ablation therapy. Today the majority of arrhythmias can potentially be cured with catheter ablation therapy. The safety and efficacy of catheter ablation for treatment of AV nodal reentrant tachycardia, accessory pathway arrhythmias, focal atrial tachycardia, atrial flutter and idiopathic ventricular tachycardia, is well established. Catheter ablation for treatment of atrial fibrillation and ventricular tachycardia secondary to structural heart disease, remains an area of active research. In this article we will review the current state of knowledge about the technique, indications, and results of catheter ablation for the treatment of cardiac arrhythmias.