Radiofrequency ablation of arrhythmias in the pediatric patient.

Advances in management of pediatric arrhythmias using radiofrequency catheter ablation are reviewed. Discussion begins with the most frequent arrhythmia experienced in childhood, supraventricular tachycardia, and its variants. Subsequent consideration will center on progress made in using radiofrequency catheter ablation to manage ventricular tachycardia, both in the normal heart as well as in surgically repaired tetralogy of Fallot. Potential limitations to radiofrequency ablation in the infant age group are addressed. Technologic progress as it applies to pediatric patients is also examined. Lastly, an enhanced appreciation for the immense contribution that radiofrequency catheter ablation techniques have made will emerge for the reader after reviewing recent results obtained using surgical techniques for arrhythmia ablation.