[Radiofrequency catheter ablation in the treatment of arrhythmias in children--efficacy, safety of the method, predictors of the procedural course and acute success].

Background: Radiofrequency current ablation (RFCA) is a safe and efficient method of treatment in adult patients with symptomatic arrhythmias. Recently RFCA is being also used in the treatment of children with cardiac arrhythmias, however its value in this set of patients is poorly documented. Aims of our study were to assess the feasibility and safety of RFCA procedures in children with symptomatic supraventricular and ventricular arrhythmias, and to identify the parameters which influence the probability of acute success and RFCA course.

A comparison of the clinical course of preexcitation syndrome in children and adolescents and in adults.

Background: Atrioventricular reentrant tachycardia (AVRT) in patients with preexcitation syndrome (PS) is the main cause of paroxysmal regular arrhythmias in children and adolescents. While the previously published data most commonly concern clinical consequences of PS in adults, few researchers have evaluated the problem in children and adolescents. The aim of the study was to compare the clinical course of PS between the population of children and adolescents below 19 years of age and the population of adult patients.

Radiofrequency catheter ablation in children and adolescents with preexcitation syndrome.

Background: Atrioventricular reentrant tachycardia (AVRT) is the most common tachycardia, accounting for 70% of regular narrow-QRS arrhythmias in children. Because of the potential disadvantages of a life-long drug therapy and relatively favourable results from radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) therapy in adults, the indications for ablation therapy in children with preexcitation syndrome (PS) need to be considered.

Aim: To assess efficacy and safety of RFCA in children and adolescents with PS.

Radio-frequency ablation of arrhythmias following congenital heart surgery.

Background: Cardiac arrhythmias as a late complication following congenital heart surgery are encountered more and more frequently in clinical practice. The use of new electrophysiological methods of visualisation and mapping improves the efficacy of radio-frequency (RF) ablation of these arrhythmias.

Aim: To assess patterns of atrial arrhythmias following congenital heart surgery and to examine the efficacy of RF ablation using the electro-anatomical CARTO system.

Iatrogenic cardiac arrhythmias following transcatheter or surgical closure of atrial septal defect in children.

Background: Invasive procedures involving the atria may promote the development of iatrogenic cardiac arrhythmias.

Aim: To analyse the prevalence of cardiac arrhythmias following transcatheter or cardiosurgical closure of the secundum type atrial septal defect (ASD).

Methods: The study group consisted of 91 patients, aged 2-18 years with haemodynamically significant ASD who underwent surgical (n=44) or transcatheter (Amplatzer occluder) (n=47) closure of ASD.