Severe Periprocedural Complications After Ablation for Atrial Fibrillation: An International Collaborative Individual Patient Data Registry (JCEP July 2024)-Article: Severe Periprocedural Complications After Ablation for Atrial Fibrillation: An International Collaborative Individual Patient Data Registry

Article: Severe Periprocedural Complications After Ablation for Atrial Fibrillation: An International Collaborative Individual Patient Data Registry

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The study focused on the incidence of severe complications associated with catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation (AF) and highlighted that complications such as tamponade, stroke, cardiac arrest, esophageal fistula, and death are rare after the procedure. The data analyzed was collected from 23 centers worldwide, where a total of 33,879 procedures were performed. The study found that older age, female sex, a dilated left atrium, procedure duration, and the use of radiofrequency energy were independently associated with a higher risk of severe complications. Among patients who experienced tamponade, 13% required cardiac surgery, indicating the severity of this complication. Despite the occurrence of severe complications, the majority of patients fully recovered, and 93% were discharged home after a median stay of 5 days.<br /><br />The study provided insights into the diagnostic evaluation, management, and outcomes of patients who experienced ablation-related complications. It also discussed the impact of different variables, such as age, sex, procedure duration, and energy sources used during the ablation procedure. The research findings suggest the overall safety and favorable prognosis for patients undergoing AF ablation, despite the potential risks associated with the procedure. The study aimed to address gaps in the detailed assessment of severe complications globally and emphasized the importance of understanding risk factors and optimal management strategies to improve patient outcomes post-AF ablation.

Keywords

catheter ablation

atrial fibrillation

severe complications

tamponade

stroke

cardiac arrest

esophageal fistula

death

radiofrequency energy

ablation-related complications