Age of Tachycardia Onset and Clinical Outcomes in AVNRT vs. Accessory Pathway-Mediated Tachycardia

Abstract

Objectives: To investigate and compare the age of onset and clinical outcomes of patients diagnosed with atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia (AVNRT) and accessory pathway-mediated tachycardia (APMT) treated at a tertiary care center.

Methodology: This retrospective observational study included 150 patients (90 diagnosed with AVNRT and 60 with APMT) who received treatment between July 2022 and June 2023. Data were collected from patient records, encompassing demographic details, age at onset, recurrence rates, and outcomes following radiofrequency catheter ablation. Statistical analysis was conducted using t-tests and chi-square tests, with a p-value of <0.05 considered statistically significant.

Results: AVNRT was more prevalent among older patients, with a mean age of onset of 45 years, while APMT was more commonly observed in younger individuals, with a mean age of onset of 30 years (p<0.05). Catheter ablation success rates were high for both groups, with 95% for AVNRT and 92% for APMT. Recurrence rates were higher among patients aged 60 years and older, with 10% for AVNRT and 8.3% for APMT, highlighting the role of age-related structural cardiac changes and comorbidities in influencing treatment outcomes.

Conclusion: This study underscores significant age-related differences in the onset, progression, and treatment outcomes of AVNRT and APMT. Radiofrequency catheter ablation proved to be highly effective in both groups, with tailored follow-up strategies recommended for older patients to address age-related changes in cardiac structure and the presence of comorbidities.