Cryoablation to improve catheter stability and ablation success in the right atrioventricular groove

Abstract

Catheter instability can limit ablation success of arrhythmia substrates at the right atrioventricular groove. We describe cases where cryoablation improved catheter stability, enabling ablation success. Methods and results: Four patients with supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) substrates at the right atrioventricular groove had radiofrequency ablation procedures limited by poor catheter contact. Cryoablation offered improved catheter stability, and all four patients achieved acute ablation success using cryoablation. Three patients had long-term success and one patient later required repeat radiofrequency ablation. Conclusions: For patients with arrhythmia substrates at the right atrioventricular groove, cryoablation may be a useful adjunctive technique in cases with catheter instability.

Keywords

• Cryoablation
• Cryotherapy
• Cryo-adherence
• Accessory pathway