Current approaches to catheter ablation for childhood tachycardia.

ABSTRACT

Many different types of tachycardia are seen throughout childhood, and the optimal management approach depends on the type of tachycardia and the impact and prognosis for each child. For many of these patients, the healthcare provider and family are faced with choosing between chronic medication to suppress tachycardia and catheter ablation to eliminate tachycardia. Widespread experience and significant technological advances over the last 2 decades have improved outcomes and reduced complications of ablation therapy in patients of all ages. At this time, catheter ablation is feasible, safe, and effective for most types of childhood tachycardia, and can be considered electively in children 6 years of age or older. Ablation can also be performed cautiously in infants and small children with difficult and medically refractory arrhythmias. Special modifications in equipment and techniques are required for ablation in the youngest patients and those with structural heart disease.