Unraveling the complexities of AVNRT ablation and its impact on electrophysiological features: A comprehensive review in children?

Abstract

Background: Paroxysmal Supraventricular Tachycardia (PSVT) is a broad term referring to any rapid heart rhythm originating above the heart's ventricles. Atrioventricular Nodal Reentrant Tachycardia (AVNRT) is a specific type of PSVT characterized by abnormal circuits or pathways within the atrioventricular (AV) node, a crucial component of the heart's electrical conduction system. AVNRT can cause rapid heartbeats due to abnormal electrical impulses circulating within the AV node. This study aimed to explore the association between the QT, PR, and QRS intervals before and after RF ablation.

Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 115 children with recurrent cardiac arrhythmias were screened and included between 2010 and 2023. The management of arrhythmias followed established guidelines and consensus statements.

Results: The mean age of the 115 children was 9.91 ± 3.30 years, and 52.2% were female. Statistical analysis revealed a significant difference in cycle length (p=0.001), ventricular drive cycle length (p=0.001), atrioventricular Wenckebach (p=0.002), and antegrade effective refractory period of the AV node (p=0.013) before and after ablation.

Conclusion: Supraventricular arrhythmias in children present complex cases that require individualized treatment approaches. Assessing the QT, PR, and QRS intervals before and after RF ablation provides a valuable tool for evaluating the success of these procedures, particularly in cases involving AVNRT.