Radiofrequency catheter ablation for supraventricular tachycardias: Part I.

Ablative therapy in the treatment of arrhythmias is an exciting development of the last decade. Although direct-current, high-energy shock can be effective treatment for many supraventricular tachycardias, clinicians are concerned about potential problems associated with its use. Drug therapy for arrhythmias has been inadequate, ineffective, poorly tolerated and fraught with toxic or proarrhythmic reactions. Because of its relative technical ease, high success rate and low complication rate, RFCA remains the therapeutic procedure of choice for patients with atrioventricular nodal reentrant supraventricular tachycardia. Other catheter ablation techniques such as laser, cryocatheter and microwave catheter are still being tested.