Patrizio Pascale

The success of radiofrequency catheter ablation of the accessory pathway (AP) depends on the accurate localisation of the bypass tract. In that respect, posteroseptal or inferior paraseptal APs often pose a diagnostic challenge because of the complex anatomy at the crux of the four cardiac chambers. Considering the differences in procedure risks and success rate depending on the need for a left-sided approach or a coronary sinus ablation, an accurate anticipation of the precise location of inferior paraseptal APs is critical to inform the consent process and guide the initial mapping strategy. Here, the preprocedural clues to discriminate APs that can be ablated from the right atrium, from those requiring a left-sided or epicardial coronary venous approach, are reviewed. Both manifest and concealed APs will be considered and, following the diagnostic process made by the operator before interpretation of the intra-cardiac signals, each of the following aspects will be addressed: clinical context and initial probability; and 12-lead ECG analysis during baseline ECG with manifest AP, maximal preexcitation, and orthodromic reciprocating tachycardia.