Catheter bypass ablation for preexcitation syndrome is a curative treatment measure that, if successful in correcting the arrhythmia, usually does not require long-term medication.
The anatomical basis of preexcitation is that, in addition to normal atrioventricular block, there are abnormal bundles of cardiac muscle fibers that conduct in the body, known as bypass tracts. The bypass tracts have electrophysiologic properties of forward (atrioventricular conduction) or reverse (ventricular-atrial conduction) conduction.
Patients with preexcitation syndrome who have frequent episodes of tachycardia or concomitant atrial fibrillation or flutter should undergo catheter ablation as soon as possible. Catheter ablation is a curative procedure that ablates the bypass tracts and allows the electrical impulses to travel along normal pathways.
If the arrhythmia is corrected and blood flow is normalized after the procedure, long-term medication is usually not necessary. If postoperative discomfort occurs after preexcitation syndrome, active diagnosis and treatment are required.