Sex-related differences in patients undergoing radiofrequency ablation of atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia

Background: Atrioventricular nodal reentry tachycardia (AVNRT) is the most common paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia. The relatively ineffective antiarrhythmic drugs and the predominant young age makes the catheter ablation the therapy of choice in many patients. This results in predominance of this arrhythmia in electrophysiological labs. The aim of the study was to analyze the gender-related differences among patients undergoing the radiofrequency catheter ablation of slow pathway entrance to the atrioventricular node. Material and methods: The study group comprised of 147 consecutive patients with diagnosed atrioventricular nodal reentry tachycardia, who underwent the radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) of slow pathway. Patients have been divided into 2 groups, based on sex. Results: The overall 97.3% of effectiveness of RFCA was observed. Women were significantly younger than men (53.7 +/-17.2 vs. 57.7 +/-9.8 years) with lower radiation dose (2383.5 +/-1993.2 vs. 2891.6 +/-2377.1 cGyxcm2). Conclusions: Younger age of women in comparison to men during RFCA of AVNRT reflects earlier onset of symptoms in women. Gender does not affect the time of fluoroscopy, but the higher rate of inducible tachycardia after RFCA in women may suggest the existence of anatomical difficulties or the operator's apprehensions. Sex-related difference in radiation dose that we have observed may result from the greater volume of the men's chest.