Long-term pacemaker dependency after radiofrequency ablation of the atrioventricular junction,

This prospective study was conducted to determine the percentage of patients with long-term pacemaker dependency after successful radiofrequency ablation of the atrioventricular junction. Abrupt inhibition of the pacemaker was performed 13.5 ± 8.1 months after ablation in 59 patients. A ≥5-second asystole was considered to indicate pacemaker dependency. Pacemaker dependency was present in 18 patients. Absence of escape rhythm immediately after ablation was strongly associated with a higher incidence of long-term pacemaker dependency. The following variables were not associated with pacemaker dependency: age, presence of cardiac disease, presence of preablation bundle branch block, number of radiofrequency applications, a bilateral approach for ablation, and continuation of antiarrhythmic therapy after ablation. We concluded that (1) long-term pacemaker dependency is present in 30.5% of the patients after successful atrioventricular junction radiofrequency ablation and (2) absence of escape rhythm immediately after ablation predicts long-term pacemaker dependency. (Am Heart J 1997;133:580-4.)