Does surgical creation of complete A-V block prevent recurrence of PAT in a patient with WPW syndrome refractory to medical therapy?
Surgical creation of complete AV block can successfully prevent recurrent paroxysmal atrial tachycardia in patients with refractory WPW syndrome.
In a 60-year-old male with WPW syndrome and recurrent PAT refractory to cardiac drugs, surgical creation of complete A-V block without cardiopulmonary bypass has prevented recurrence of the PAT. The findings in this case support the accessory conduction tissue theory as being responsible for WPW conduction in some patients and a circus re-entry movement as responsible for the recurring PAT.
Edmonds et al. (Thu,) studied this question.