Department of Cardiology Successfully Performs Transcatheter Radiofrequency Ablation for a 10-Year-Old Boy

Xiao Ming, aged 10, has been troubled by Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome since the age of 4. He experiences episodes of tachycardia two to three times per week, during which his heart rate surges to 230 beats per minute, blood pressure drops sharply, vision darkens, and he nearly faints. At an age when children are naturally active and playful, Xiao Ming has hardly dared to participate in any sports due to his condition. Previously, Xiao Ming's family visited multiple hospitals, where doctors determined that his tachycardia might be caused by multiple accessory pathways and required radiofrequency ablation surgery. However, due to the patient's young age and the complexity of the procedure, these hospitals were reluctant to admit him. Upon a friend's recommendation, Xiao Ming's family came to the Department of Cardiology at HeYou Hospital, where Chief Physician Hua Xianping received and admitted him.

Considering Xiao Ming's young age and relatively short stature, this surgery presented numerous challenges. The patient's underdeveloped physique, small heart, and thin atrial and ventricular walls imposed extremely high demands on the operator. Procedurally, vascular puncture could easily lead to complications such as pseudoaneurysm and arteriovenous fistula, while ablation treatment might cause cardiac tamponade and could also result in atrioventricular block during the process. Furthermore, due to children's natural restlessness, their cooperation during surgery under conscious sedation is poor, which could significantly prolong the operation time and thereby increase surgical risks.

To ensure maximum surgical safety, the Department of Cardiology took the lead in organizing a multidisciplinary consultation involving the Department of Anesthesiology, Department of Pediatrics, ICU, and Catheterization Laboratory. The team pooled their expertise to systematically identify potential preoperative difficulties and formulate corresponding strategies.

During the procedure, an episode of tachycardia occurred with blood pressure dropping below 80 mmHg, an emergency that compelled the physicians to complete the surgery swiftly. Relying on their exceptional medical skills and close collaboration among all departments, the cardiologists proceeded smoothly. The surgery was successfully completed in just one and a half hours. Half an hour postoperatively, Xiao Ming fully regained consciousness from anesthesia, with his heart rate and blood pressure stabilizing.

The success of this surgery demonstrates the strong capabilities of the Department of Cardiology at HeYou Hospital in interventional treatment of arrhythmias. Although the department primarily focuses on adult diagnosis and treatment, its outstanding professional expertise enables it to provide a robust health defense for children with arrhythmias when necessary.