Treatment of refractory recurrent multifocal atrial tachycardia with atrioventricular junction ablation and permanent pacing.

Multifocal atrial tachycardia is a difficult clinical problem generally associated with acute cardiorespiratory illness. The purpose of this study was to assess the feasibility and clinical utility of atrioventricular junction ablation plus permanent transvenous pacemaker implantation as therapy for uncontrolled refractory multifocal atrial tachycardia. Three patients with uncontrolled refractory multifocal atrial tachycardia underwent atrioventricular junction ablation plus permanent transvenous pacemaker implantation. Complications and outcome of each procedure was monitored and both objective and subjective assessment of physical functional capacity was assessed by a semiquantitative examination. Ablation procedures controlled the ventricular response in all patients. There were no complications related to the ablation procedure or implantation of permanent transvenous pacing system. All patients demonstrated subjective improvement in symptoms. Palpitations were virtually eradicated in these patients and all enjoyed significant improvements in rest and effort dyspnea, exercise tolerance and asthenia. Objective assessment of functional class also demonstrated significant improvements. Atrioventricular ablation plus permanent transvenous pacing offers a safe and effective therapy for uncontrolled refractory multifocal atrial tachycardia.