Hostname: page-component-78c5997874-t5tsf Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-15T21:15:41.621Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Radiofrequency ablation versus cryoablation for atrioventricular nodal re-entrant tachycardia in children: a value comparison

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  18 April 2016

Matthew E. Oster*
Affiliation:
Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Emory University Rollins School of Public Health, Atlanta, GA, United States of America Department of Epidemiology, Emory University Rollins School of Public Health, Atlanta, GA, United States of America Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States of America
Zhou Yang
Affiliation:
Department of Health Policy and Management, Emory University Rollins School of Public Health, Atlanta, GA, United States of America
Kay Stewart-Huey
Affiliation:
Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Emory University Rollins School of Public Health, Atlanta, GA, United States of America
Michelle Glanville
Affiliation:
Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Emory University Rollins School of Public Health, Atlanta, GA, United States of America
Arlene Porter
Affiliation:
Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Emory University Rollins School of Public Health, Atlanta, GA, United States of America
Robert Campbell
Affiliation:
Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Emory University Rollins School of Public Health, Atlanta, GA, United States of America Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States of America
Brad Webb
Affiliation:
Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Emory University Rollins School of Public Health, Atlanta, GA, United States of America
Margaret Strieper
Affiliation:
Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Emory University Rollins School of Public Health, Atlanta, GA, United States of America Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States of America
*
Correspondence to: M. E. Oster, MD, MPH, 2835 Brandywine Road, Ste 300, Atlanta, GA 30341, United States of America. Tel: +404 256 2593; Fax: +770 488 9477; E-mail: [email protected]

Abstract

Background

It is unclear whether cryoablation or radiofrequency ablation offers better value for treating atrioventricular nodal re-entrant tachycardia in children. We aimed to compare the value of these procedures for treating atrioventricular nodal re-entrant tachycardia in children, with value being outcomes relative to costs.

Methods

We performed a retrospective cohort study of all atrioventricular nodal re-entrant tachycardia ablations for children (age⩽18 years) from July, 2009 to June, 2011 at our institution. Costs included fixed costs, miscellaneous hospital costs, and labour costs, and key outcomes were acute and long-term success (6 months) of the ablations. We conducted T-tests and regression analyses to investigate the associations between the ablation procedure type and the cost and success of the ablations.

Results

Of 96 unique cases performed by three paediatric electrophysiologists, 48 were cryoablation only, 42 radiofrequency ablation only, and six were a combination. Acute success was 100% for the cryoablation only and radiofrequency ablation only cases and 83% for the combination cases. There were no notable adverse events. The average total cost was $9636 for cryoablation cases, $9708 for radiofrequency ablation cases, and $10,967 for combination cases (p=0.51 for cryoablation only versus radiofrequency ablation only). The long-term success rate was 79.1% for cryoablation only, 92.8% for radiofrequency ablation only, and 66.7% for the combination (p=0.01 for cryoablation only versus radiofrequency ablation only), but long-term success varied notably by provider.

Conclusions

Cryoablation and radiofrequency ablation offer similar value in the short term for the treatment of atrioventricular nodal re-entrant tachycardia in children. Differences in long-term success may vary substantially by physician, and thus may lead to differences in long-term value.

Type
Original Articles
Copyright
© Cambridge University Press 2016 

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

1. Ko, JK, Deal, BJ, Strasburger, JF, Benson, DW Jr. Supraventricular tachycardia mechanisms and their age distribution in pediatric patients. Am J Cardiol 1992; 69: 10281032.Google Scholar
2. Van Hare, GF, Lesh, MD, Scheinman, M, Langberg, JJ. Percutaneous radiofrequency catheter ablation for supraventricular arrhythmias in children. J Am Coll Cardiol 1991; 17: 16131620.Google Scholar
3. Campbell, RM, Strieper, MJ, Frias, PA, Danford, DA, Kugler, JD. Current status of radiofrequency ablation for common pediatric supraventricular tachycardias. J Pediatr 2002; 140: 150155.Google Scholar
4. Kugler, JD, Danford, DA, Deal, BJ, et al. Radiofrequency catheter ablation for tachyarrhythmias in children and adolescents. The Pediatric Electrophysiology Society. N Engl J Med 1994; 330: 14811487.Google Scholar
5. Schaffer, MS, Silka, MJ, Ross, BA, Kugler, JD. Inadvertent atrioventricular block during radiofrequency catheter ablation. Results of the Pediatric Radiofrequency Ablation Registry. Pediatric Electrophysiology Society. Circulation 1996; 94: 32143220.Google Scholar
6. Hanninen, M, Yeung-Lai-Wah, N, Massel, D, et al. Cryoablation versus RF ablation for AVNRT: a meta-analysis and systematic review. J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol 2013; 24: 13541360.Google Scholar
7. Drago, F, Placidi, S, Righi, D, et al. Cryoablation of AVNRT in children and adolescents: early intervention leads to a better outcome. J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol 2014; 25: 398403.Google Scholar
8. Buddhe, S, Singh, H, Du, W, Karpawich, PP. Radiofrequency and cryoablation therapies for supraventricular arrhythmias in the young: five-year review of efficacies. Pacing Clin Electrophysiol 2012; 35: 711717.Google Scholar
9. Collins, KK, Dubin, AM, Chiesa, NA, McDaniel, GM, Van Hare, GF. Cryoablation in pediatric atrioventricular nodal reentry: electrophysiologic effects on atrioventricular nodal conduction. Heart Rhythm 2006; 3: 557563.Google Scholar
10. Villasenor, M, Schaffer, MS, Collins, KK. Cryoablation for presumed atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia in pediatric patients. Pacing Clin Electrophysiol 2012; 35: 13191325.Google Scholar
11. Kirsh, JA, Gross, GJ, O’Connor, S, Hamilton, RM. Transcatheter cryoablation of tachyarrhythmias in children: initial experience from an international registry. J Am Coll Cardiol 2005; 45: 133136.Google Scholar
12. Miyazaki, A, Blaufox, AD, Fairbrother, DL, Saul, JP. Cryo-ablation for septal tachycardia substrates in pediatric patients: mid-term results. J Am Coll Cardiol 2005; 45: 581588.Google Scholar
13. Das, S, Law, IH, Von Bergen, NH, et al. Cryoablation therapy for atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia in children: a multicenter experience of efficacy. Pediatr Cardiol 2012; 33: 11471153.Google Scholar
14. Porter, ME. What is value in health care? N Engl J Med 2010; 363: 24772481.Google Scholar
15. Burns, KM, Evans, F, Pearson, GD, Berul, CI, Kaltman, JR. Rising charges and costs for pediatric catheter ablation. J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol 2013; 24: 162169.Google Scholar
16. Desai, VC, Kelton, CM, Czosek, RJ, Heaton, PC. Frequencies, costs, and complications of catheter ablation for tachyarrhythmias in children: 2000-2009. Pacing Clin Electrophysiol 2013; 36: 14681480.Google Scholar
17. Anderson, JL, Heidenreich, PA, Barnett, PG, et al. ACC/AHA statement on cost/value methodology in clinical practice guidelines and performance measures: a report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on Performance Measures and Task Force on Practice Guidelines. Circulation 2014; 129: 23292345.Google Scholar
18. Eckhardt, LL, Leal, M, Hollis, Z, Tanega, J, Alberte, C. Cryoablation for AVNRT: importance of ablation endpoint criteria. J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol 2012; 23: 729734.Google Scholar
19. Collins, KK, Dubin, AM, Chiesa, NA, Avasarala, K, Van Hare, GF. Cryoablation versus radiofrequency ablation for treatment of pediatric atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia: initial experience with 4-mm cryocatheter. Heart Rhythm 2006; 3: 564570.Google Scholar
20. Deisenhofer, I, Zrenner, B, Yin, YH, et al. Cryoablation versus radiofrequency energy for the ablation of atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia (the CYRANO Study): results from a large multicenter prospective randomized trial. Circulation 2010; 122: 22392245.Google Scholar
21. Papagiannis, J, Papadopoulou, K, Rammos, S, Katritsis, D. Cryoablation versus radiofrequency ablation for atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia in children: long-term results. Hellenic J Cardiol 2010; 51: 122126.Google Scholar
22. Schwagten, B, Knops, P, Janse, P, et al. Long-term follow-up after catheter ablation for atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia: a comparison of cryothermal and radiofrequency energy in a large series of patients. J Interv Card Electrophysiol 2011; 30: 5561.Google Scholar
23. Reents, T, Springer, B, Ammar, S, et al. Long-term follow-up after cryoablation for adolescent atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia: recurrence is not predictable. Europace 2012; 14: 16291633.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
24. Silver, ES, Silva, JN, Ceresnak, SR, et al. Cryoablation with an 8-mm tip catheter for pediatric atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia is safe and efficacious with a low incidence of recurrence. Pacing Clin Electrophysiol 2010; 33: 681686.Google Scholar
25. Chan, NY, Choy, CC, Lau, CL, et al. Cryoablation versus radiofrequency ablation for atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia: patient pain perception and operator stress. Pacing Clin Electrophysiol 2011; 34: 27.Google Scholar
26. Rodriguez-Entem, FJ, Exposito, V, Gonzalez-Enriquez, S, Olalla-Antolin, JJ. Cryoablation versus radiofrequency ablation for the treatment of atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia: results of a prospective randomized study. J Interv Card Electrophysiol 2013; 36: 4145; discussion 45.Google Scholar
27. Shwartz, M, Young, D, Siegrist, R. The ratio of costs to charges: how good a basis for estimating costs? Inquiry 1995; 32: 476481.Google Scholar