Interv Akut Kardiol. 2008;7(6):226-229

Catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation: potential complications of procedure and means of their prevention

Petr Peichl, Hanka Mlčochová, Robert Čihák, et al
Klinika kardiologie, Institut klinické a experimentální medicíny, Praha

Catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation is a modern therapeutic method that effectively prevents arrhythmia recurrences. The procedure is, however, still associated with potentially severe complications, while some of them are specific only for this type of ablation. Our review lists the most important complications, means of their diagnosis, prevention and therapy. The most important complications comprise: cardiac tamponade, hemothorax, embolic events, pulmonary vein stenosis, atrio-esophageal fistula, phrenic nerve injury and regular atrial arrhythmias after ablation. The key role in prevention of these complications play the operator’s experiences and utilization of modern imagining and mapping tools.

Keywords: atrial fibrillation, catheter ablation

Published: December 20, 2008  Show citation

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Peichl P, Mlčochová H, Čihák R, al E. Catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation: potential complications of procedure and means of their prevention. Interv Akut Kardiol. 2008;7(6):226-229.
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