Radiofrequency Ablation of Ectopic Atrial Tachycardia
Radiofrequency Ablation of Ectopic Atrial Tachycardia
A retrospective chart review will be performed on 50 patients who received RFA for the
 treatment of EAT between August 1992 and August 2003 at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta.

 The use of the CARTO/Biosense catheter has improved outcomes with decreased radiation
 exposure to patients.
Ectopic Atrial Tachycardia (EAT) is a relatively rare arrhythmia in the pediatric population.
 It is defined by a run of more than 3 premature atrial contractions together. In EAT, the
 arrhythmia tends to increase in rate over a period of time and then slows down gradually to a
 normal rhythm. Ectopic Atrial Tachycardia (EAT) is mostly encountered in patients with
 structurally normal hearts however, occasionally physicians do observe this type of disorder
 in children following surgery for congenital heart defects. Current reports suggest that EAT
 occurs in approximately 1 in 10,000 children (Hamilton, 2002).

 Children with EAT usually present with a multitude of symptoms. The most common symptoms
 associated with pediatric EAT are palpitations, chest pain, lightheadedness, presyncope, and
 dyspnea. Other symptoms can include exercise intolerance and congestive heart failure. These
 are usually late manifestations. In the patients with tachycardia induced CM, the time of
 development of CM is dependent on the rate and duration of the tachycardia however, in most
 cases, dilation is present upon diagnosis. This CM can be reversed with successful treatment
 of the arrhythmia.

 The treatment for chronic EAT includes medications such as adenosine and for difficult to
 control cases, Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA). RF ablation has been successful in curing EAT,
 with success rates ranging from 75-100%. It has been shown that the complication rates are
 similar to other RF ablation procedures, with a higher risk of recurrence (Hamilton, 2002).

 At Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, the cardiac catheterization lab performs approximately
 10 Radiofrequency ablations for EAT each year. The goal of this retrospective review is to
 assess the frequency of recurrence of the EAT among a subset of patients receiving treatment
 between August 1992 - August 2003
Inclusion Criteria:

 -  50 patients who received RFA for treatment of EAT between August 2992 and August 2003

 -  Treatment at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta

 Exclusion Criteria:

 -  those who do not meet inclusion criteria