Radiofrequency ablation of the slow pathway in a patient with AVNRT produced a sharply demarcated 5x5x4 mm atrial lesion distinct from the compact AV node, confirming their anatomical separation.
Case Report (n=1)
Histological examination of an explanted heart 1 week post-ablation supports the hypothesis that the slow pathway comprises atrial approaches to the AV node and is distinct from the compact AV node.
The present study examined histological changes induced by catheter guided radiofrequency current in a patient with AV nodal reentrant tachycardia who underwent cardiac transplantation 1 week after ablation of the slow pathway. During the electrophysiology study AV nodal conduction curves were discontinuous and AV nodal reentry was induced. At the conclusion of the procedure there was no evidence of slow pathway function. Histological sections from the explanted heart demonstrated a sharply demarcated atrial lesion (5 x 5 x 4 mm) extending from the septal portion of the tricuspid annulus to the posterior border of the AV node. The lesion did not encompass the compact AV node. These observations support the hypothesis that the slow pathway is comprised of atrial approaches to the AV node and is distinct from the compact AV node.
Gamache et al. (Tue,) conducted a case report in Atrioventricular Nodal Reentrant Tachycardia (n=1). Catheter guided radiofrequency current ablation of the slow pathway was evaluated on Histological changes in the explanted heart. Radiofrequency ablation of the slow pathway in a patient with AVNRT produced a sharply demarcated 5x5x4 mm atrial lesion distinct from the compact AV node, confirming their anatomical separation.
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