Radiofrequency(RF) ablation is an effective and low risk curative treatment for supraventricular arrhythmias. Catheter ablation produced cardiac lesions primarily through formation of coagulation necrosis. We evaluated the degree of myocardial injury after RF catheter ablation by means of serial measurement of myocardial enzyme.

Fifty-one patients with symptomatic supraventricular tachycardia were included. There were 32 men and 19 women(mean age. 39.5±15.4 years)All patients underwent electrophysiologic study to detect accessary pathway and ablation with radiofreguency current. A mean of 18.3±14.2 radiofrequency pulses were delivered. The pulses were at a power of 50 to 60 Volts for a duration of 20 to 30 seconds. Unipolar method and a 6F or 7F catheter with a 4 mm tip electrode was used. LDH, CPK and Ck-MB as a kind of cardiac enzyme were measured before and after ablation.

1) The concentration of LDH and CPK were elecated at 8 hours and 16 hours after ablation (p<0.05).

2) The concentration of CK-MB was elevated at 8 hours, 16 hours, 24 hours and 72 hours after ablation(p<0.05).

3) There was no correlation between the number of applications and amounts of radiofrequency current and rise in LDH, CPK, CK-MB concentration.

The concentration of LDH, CPK and CK-MB were elevated after ablation but they were within normal limits. RF catheter ablation produced myocardial damage inevitably but were within normal limits. RF catheter ablation produced myocardial damage inevitably but minimally, then RF ablation is an effective and safe therapeutic modality for patients with symptomatic tachyarrhythmias.