Learning curve for radiofrequency catheter ablation in pediatrics at a single institution

• Published in: The American heart journal Vol. 131; no. 5; pp. 956 - 960
• Main Authors: Bubolz, Beth, Case, Christopher L., McKay, Christine A., O'Connor, Brian K., Knick, Barbara J., Gillette, Paul C.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York, NY Mosby, Inc 01.05.1996; Elsevier
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Biological and medical sciences; Cardiomyopathies - diagnosis; Cardiomyopathies - physiopathology; Cardiomyopathies - surgery; Catheter Ablation - statistics & numerical data; Child, Preschool; Diseases of the cardiovascular system; Female; Fluoroscopy; Heart Defects, Congenital - diagnosis; Heart Defects, Congenital - physiopathology; Heart Defects, Congenital - surgery; Heart Valve Diseases - diagnosis; Heart Valve Diseases - physiopathology; Heart Valve Diseases - surgery; Humans; Infant; Male; Medical sciences; Radiotherapy. Instrumental treatment. Physiotherapy. Reeducation. Rehabilitation, orthophony, crenotherapy. Diet therapy and various other treatments (general aspects); Regression Analysis; Retrospective Studies; Tachycardia - diagnosis; Tachycardia - physiopathology; Tachycardia - surgery; Time Factors; Human; Professional experience; Prognosis; Arrhythmia; Heart disease; Instrumentation therapy; Cardiovascular disease; Radiofrequency; Ablation; Child
• ISSN: 0002-8703; 1097-6744
• DOI: 10.1016/S0002-8703(96)90179-9

We examined the learning curve for radiofrequency ablation in pediatrics at a single institution. The first 146 cases were retrospectively reviewed, including patients ≤21 years old with a single tachycardia diagnosis who were undergoing radiofrequency ablation for the first time. Data regarding demographics, electrophysiologic properties of the tachycardia, and procedural characteristics were tabulated. Data were then analyzed for evidence of association between these characteristics, success, and experience. Results revealed that success rates improved significantly with experience, reaching 85% success for all cases after <100 cases attempted. Success for accessory pathway tachycardias alone reached >93%. The number of cases of nonpathway tachycardias undertaken significantly increased as experience was gained. Fluoroscopy time improved to 34 ± 27 minutes after <100 cases. In conclusion, as experience was gained, (1) success rates showed a steep improvement; (2) the population undergoing radiofrequency ablation clearly shifted to include more difficult diagnoses; and (3) fluoroscopy time significantly decreased.