Efficacy and safety of catheter ablation in octogenarians.

Abstract OBJECTIVES To determine whether catheter ablation is safe and effective in patients over the age of 80. BACKGROUND There is a tendency to withhold invasive therapy in the elderly until it has been proven safe and effective. METHODS Over a two-year period from February 1, 1996 to February 1, 1998, 695 consecutive patients underwent 744 catheter ablation procedures of supraventricular and ventricular arrhythmias. These patients were divided into three groups based on age: ≥80 years, 60 to 79 years and RESULTS There were 37 patients ≥80 years, 275 patients 60 to 79 years and 383 patients CONCLUSIONS Catheter ablative therapy for the arrhythmias attempted in the very elderly appears to be effective with low risk. Ablation results appear to be comparable with those noted in younger patients.