There is no absolute age limit for radiofrequency ablation, and cardiac radiofrequency ablation can be performed when tolerated at age 83.
Radiofrequency ablation is somewhat invasive and requires strict contraindications.
X-ray irradiation may affect the normal development of the fetus, so radiofrequency ablation is clearly contraindicated for women in the early and late stages of pregnancy. Otherwise, there are no clear contraindications. However, radiofrequency ablation is not recommended in the presence of diseases that do not tolerate prolonged procedures (e.g., severe cardiac insufficiency, systemic diseases, or physical failure) or when there are large underlying arterial or venous pathologies that interfere with catheterization.
Tachyarrhythmias with infrequent episodes, arrhythmia episodes without significant symptoms, and arrhythmias that can be terminated by medication or vagus nerve stimulation are generally not amenable to immediate radiofrequency ablation, especially in the elderly and children.
Radiofrequency ablation is not necessary in persons without a history of tachyarrhythmic episodes, even if the electrocardiogram shows an atrioventricular bypass or electrophysiologic examination suggests an atrioventricular junction bipath.
If radiofrequency ablation is warranted, 83 years of age is not an absolute contraindication, and there are clinical precedents for video ablation in patients over 80 years of age.