Purpose: To evaluate the long-term efficacy and safety at long term after atrioventricular junction fulguration (complete AV block induction, using high energy shocks, to control drug-resistant supraventricular tachyarrhythmias.
Methods: Twenty-eight patients, 17 (60.7%) men, with mean age 48.1 years, were submitted to one up to six ablation sessions with high energy shocks. The total delivered energy per patient was 1304 +/- 868 J. Each shock ranged from 100 to 400 J.
Results: After 12 months, at least, 60.6% of patients were in complete atrioventricular block; three (10.8%) were asymptomatic without complete AV block, and in five (17.8%) the ablation was unsuccessful.
Conclusion: AV junction ablation with high energy shocks is safe and efficient in long-term follow-up.