Four years spectrum of ectopic atrial tachycardias following invasive cardiac electrophysiologic studies

Abstract

Background: Cardiac electrophysiologic study and radiofrequency ablation have become an established mode of treatment for patients with refractory arrhythmias. These procedures are carried out regularly at the cardiac catheterization laboratory of Madras Medical Mission India. Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate our experience with cardiac electrophysiologic studies (EPS) and radiofrequency catheter ablations (RFA) of ectopic atrial tachycardias (AT). Materials and Methods: This was a retrospective study carried out in the Cardiac Electrophysiology Department, of the Institute of Cardiovascular diseases, Madras Medical Mission, India. All cases diagnosed to have ectopic AT following cardiac EPS between January 2010 and April 2014 were selected for study. The records, which were obtained from the cardiac electrophysiology clinical research office of Madras Medical Mission, were reviewed. 73 cases were chosen for analysis, using SPSS statistical software version 15. Results: There were 73 patients, comprised 31 males and 42 females. The mean age was 47.38 years. Commonly associated diseases were diabetes mellitus 16 (21.9%), hypertension 14 (19.1%), coronary heart disease 12 (16.5%) and congenital heart disease 8 (11%). The most common locations of AT were coronary sinus Ostial region 7 (14.0%), parahisian region 6 (12.0%) and crista terminaris region 4 (8.0%). Ablation was successful in 43 (84.3%). Complication rate was 4.11%. Conclusions: Treatment of ectopic AT by RFA is highly effective and safe.