Atrial Pacing During Radiofrequency Ablation of Junctional Ectopic Tachycardia

A Useful Technique for Avoiding Atrioventricular Block

Abstract

Radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) was performed on a 5-year-old boy with congenital junctional ectopic tachycardia (JET) that was refractory to medical management. Because of the lack of retrograde atrial depolarization during tachycardia, radiofrequency energy was delivered during atrial overdrive pacing to confirm the presence of preserved atrioventricular (AV) conduction. Although the procedure was complicated by complete right bundle branch block after ablation of the para-Hissian region, the patient regained sinus rhythm accompanied by normal AV conduction. Rapid atrial pacing during RFCA of JET may be safely used to avoid AV block. (Jpn Circ J 2001; 65: 242 - 244)