Comparison of Electrophysiological Effects of Sevoflurane and Isoflurane-based Anesthesia in Children Undergoing RF Ablation or Cryoablation for SVT Treatment. A Randomized Double Blind Study.

In children, radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) or cryoablation are highly effective treatments for supraventricular tachycardia treatment. General anesthesia is often required to ensure comfort during the prolonged procedure and to assure immobility in order to facilitate accurate mapping and subsequent ablation of the accessory pathway and/or arrhythmogenic focus. Successful anesthetic management of this patient population requires adequate suppression of sympathetic responses during the procedure while electrophysiological parameters remain unaltered for mapping purposes and subsequent ablation. Although Sevoflurane (SEVO) and Isoflurane (ISO) are two commonly used and evaluated volatile anesthetic agents for ablation procedures, comparison of those agents has not been performed previously not in adults, not in children.

Hypothesis Time required for basic EP intervals, successful induction of SVT and successful RFCA or cryoablation in children will not be different between patients undergoing Sevoflurane or Isoflurane-based anesthesia.

Patients The study group will include otherwise 200 lthy patients aged 4 to 18 years, with an ASA physical status I or II, who are scheduled for elective radiofrequency ablation or cryoablation to interrupt abnormal foci and/or accessory pathways at Schneider Children's Medical Center of Israel (SCMCI). Written informed consent will be obtained from the patients (from age 12), parent(s) or legal guardian of all participants. Duration of the study- 2 years.

Inclusion criteria: healthy patients aged 4 to 18 years, with an ASA physical status I or II, who are scheduled for elective radiofrequency ablation or cryoablation to treat SVT.

Exclusion criteria: patients with accompanying cardiac defects or other diseases, suspected Malignant Hyperthermia, contraindication to volatile anesthetics use and patients/ parental refusal.