Radiofrequency catheter ablation of atrioventricular accessory pathways in 3 dogs with subsequent resolution of tachycardia-induced cardiomyopathy

Incessant supraventricular tachyarrhythmias are known to result in myocardial dysfunction indistinguishable from idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy by current testing methods. This tachycardia-induced cardiomyopathy (TICM), however, is uniquely reversible with adequate rhythm control. Two dogs were presented to The Ohio State University for incessant supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) and echocardiographic signs of dilated cardiomyopathy, later proven to be TICM. A 3rd dog presented for frequent paroxysms of SVT and syncope had echocardiographic signs of mild myocardial systolic dysfunction: All 3 dogs had inadequate rhythm control with multiple antiarrhythmic agents, and 1 dog suffered from recurrent left-sided congestive heart failure. Generalized cardiomegaly was found in 1 dog and left-sided dilatation without concurrent right-sided enlargement in 1 dog. Mild-to-severe left ventricular systolic dysfunction was confirmed echocardiographically in all dogs. A total of 4 atrioventricular accessory pathways (APs) were found during invasive electrophysiologic studies in these 3 dogs. All APs were successfully ablated with radiofrequency energy delivered through a thermistor-tipped catheter. Elimination of AP conduction, and thus orthodromic atrioventricular reciprocating tachycardia, resulted in resolution of all clinical and echocardiographic evidence of TICM in these dogs. This result confirms that the cardiomyopathy was, in fact, reversible TICM. All cardiovascular medications were discontinued, and no complications occurred during a 15-25-month follow-up period.