Age dependence of complete heart block complicating radiofrequency ablation of the atrioventricular nodal slow pathway

This study supports the overall safety of radiofrequency ablation to the slow pathway for patients with AV node reentry. Although the mechanism is unclear, complete heart block appears to be of very low risk in younger patients, and thus, AV node modification using the slow pathway technique appears to be a viable alternative to cure AV nodal reentry. In older patients, the higher risks of complete heart block must be weighed in the risk: benefit assessment before proceeding with this technique.