EARLY EXPERIENCE WITH CARDIAC ELECTROPHSIOLOGY STUDY AND RADIOFREQUENCY ABLATION IN PESHAWAR

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the success and efficacy of
electrophysiological study (EPS) and radio frequency ablation (RFA) in
Peshawar.
Methodology: It was a hospital based prospective study, conducted at cardiology
department of HMC and EP Lab of LRH, Peshawar from September 2006 to
December 2012. All adult patients with documented tachycardia and any one of
following symptoms, palpitation, pre-syncope/near syncope, syncope, drop
attack and dyspnea related to arrhythmias were included. EPS and
radiofrequency success and complications were recorded. Statistical analysis
was performed using SPSS version.15.0.
Results: During this period, 570 patients underwent EPS. The mean age was
37.34 ± 11years (20-82 years), 90% of the patients were in reproductive age
group (20-50 years), male were 51%. All the patients were symptomatic and
most common symptom was paroxysmal palpitation, reported in 470 (82%)
cases. Twenty nine (4.8%) patients have life threatening arrhythmias. EPS
revealed accurate mechanism of arrhythmia and localized the focus and
pathways in 550 (96.5%) and RFA carried out in all those patients. Inter-atrial
puncture was done in 120 (21%) patients, for ablation of left sided pathways. The
overall success of RFA was in 95%. No death and no major complication
documented related to the procedure. Self limiting RBBB in 1 patient and minor
bleeding in 20 (4.3%) were immediate complications. Exposure to radiation in all
patients, DVT in 5 (0.8%) and recurrence of symptoms in 6 (1%) were the late
complications.
Conclusion: The EPS and RFA is a useful procedure with less morbidity and no
mortality.