# Clinical significance and efficacy of radiofrequency catheter ablation in the treatment of tachycardia-induced cardiomyopathy in 12 children

## TL;DR

This study shows that radiofrequency catheter ablation improves heart function in children with tachycardia-induced cardiomyopathy.

## Contribution

The study provides new clinical evidence on the efficacy of RFCA in a specific pediatric TIC population.

## Key findings

- RFCA significantly improved left ventricular ejection fraction in children with TIC.
- Most children maintained improved heart function for up to one year post-treatment.
- No recurrence of tachycardia was observed during follow-up.

## Abstract

Tachycardia-induced cardiomyopathy (TIC) in children is significantly affected by factors such as type of arrhythmia and duration of the arrhythmia. Early detection and effective radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) are highly beneficial in improving the prognosis of children with TIC. However, related research in this area is still limited, in particular with regard to detailed clinical characteristics and treatment efficacy in a specific pediatric population.

A retrospective analysis was carried out on the medical records of TIC children admitted to Wuhan Children’s Hospital between January 2017 and March 2025. Clinical data, electrocardiograms, echocardiograms, treatment and follow-up methods were collected and statistically analysed. All children were subjected to intracardiac electrophysiological studies and a radiofrequency catheter ablation procedure after obtaining parental consent.

A total of 12 children were enrolled, distributed evenly between the sexes. The onset period of unemployment varied considerably. Arrhythmias included 7 cases of atrial tachycardia, 2 cases of atrioventricular reentrant tachycardia and 3 cases of ventricular tachycardia. Six children received ineffective antiarrhythmic drugs and finally received a RFCA. The left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) of children showed a remarkable increase after operation. Statistical analysis revealed a very significant difference in LVEF at 1 month post-RFCA compared to pre-RFCA (P = 0.002). At 1 month post-treatment, 75% of the children had LVEF above 50% and approximately 66.7% had LVEF above 55%. Improvements were maintained over time: six months after surgery 91.7% of children achieved a LVEF greater than 55% and a year after surgery all children achieved a LVEF of at least 100%. No recurrence of tachycardia was observed during the follow-up period.

The most common cause of TIC in children is supraventricular tachycardia, particularly atrial tachycardia. RFCA is an effective treatment for pediatric TIC, allowing rapid recovery of left ventricular function. Clinicians should pay greater attention to TIC in children, use comprehensive screening methods for early diagnosis and provide early treatment to improve the prognosis of children with TIC.

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13019-025-03830-y.