Background: Catheter ablation of accessory atrioventricular (AV) connections using radiofrequency current has been demonstrated to be effective in the majority of patients with the Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome or paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia involving a concealed accessory AV connection. However, electrogram criteria have not been established to guide attempts at radiofrequency catheter ablation.
Methods and results: The characteristics of local electrograms recorded at successful and unsuccessful sites of radiofrequency catheter ablation were determined in 132 patients. Electrograms recorded at a total of 438 sites were analyzed: 338 recorded during ablation of 90 manifest accessory AV connections and 100 recorded during ablation of 44 concealed accessory AV connections. During ablation of manifest accessory AV connections, the independent predictors of outcome were electrogram stability (p less than 0.001), the interval between activation of the ventricular electrogram and onset of the QRS complex (p less than 0.001), and the presence of an accessory AV connection potential (p less than 0.001). Radiofrequency energy delivery at sites demonstrating stable electrograms, a probable or possible accessory AV connection potential, and activation of the local ventrical electrogram before the onset of the QRS complex had a 57% probability of success compared with a 3% probability of success at sites without these features. During ablation of concealed accessory AV connections, the independent predictors of outcome were electrogram stability (p = 0.02), the presence of an accessory AV connection potential (p = 0.05), and the presence of retrograde continuous electrical activity (p = 0.04). Sites demonstrating a stable local electrogram, an accessory AV connection potential, and retrograde continuous electrical activity had an 82% probability of success compared with only a 5% probability of success at sites demonstrating none of these features.
Conclusions: The local electrogram parameters of greatest importance in predicting the success or failure of radiofrequency catheter ablation of accessory AV connections are electrogram stability, the presence of an accessory AV connection potential, and the timing of ventricular activation relative to the QRS complex (for manifest accessory AV connections) or retrograde continuous electrical activity (for concealed accessory AV connections). Awareness of these variables during attempts at radiofrequency catheter ablation of accessory AV connections may minimize the number of unnecessary applications of radiofrequency energy.