Early complications of pulmonary vein catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation: a multicenter prospective registry on procedural safety.
BACKGROUND
Data on the procedural safety of pulmonary vein radiofrequency catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation (AF) are as yet scant.


OBJECTIVE
The aims of the present study were to prospectively evaluate the incidence of early complications of pulmonary vein ablation for AF in an unselected population of consecutive patients, and to identify possible predictors.


METHODS
From April 2005 to October 2006, data from 1,011 consecutive patients who were undergoing radiofrequency catheter ablation for every type of AF in 10 Italian centers were collected. All complications occurring from the admission of the patient up to the 30th day were considered.


RESULTS
No procedure-related death was observed. Complications occurred in 40 patients (3.9%): 12 (1.2%) had peripheral vascular complications, 8 (0.8%) had conservatively treated pericardial effusion, 6 (0.6%) had cardiac tamponade (successfully drained), 5 (0.5%) had cerebral embolisms, 4 (0.4%) presented pulmonary vein stenosis >50%, and 5 (0.5%) presented other isolated adverse events. History of coronary artery disease (odds ratio 5,603, 95% confidence interval 1,559 to 20,139, P < .008) characterized patients who presented with hemorrhagic complications.


CONCLUSIONS
Early complications of pulmonary vein catheter ablation seem to be fewer than in the early years of AF ablation, but still occur in 3.9% of procedures.
Bertaglia
Emanuele
E
Dipartimento di Cardiologia, Ospedale Civile di Mirano, Via Ca'Rossa 35, 30173 Venice, Italy. bertagliaferro@alice.it
Zoppo
Franco
F
Tondo
Claudio
C
Colella
Andrea
A
Mantovan
Roberto
R
Senatore
Gaetano
G
Bottoni
Nicola
N
Carreras
Giovanni
G
Corò
Leonardo
L
Turco
Pietro
P
Mantica
Massimo
M
Stabile
Giuseppe
G
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D017115:Catheter Ablation / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003625:Data Collection / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011667:Pulmonary Veins / Q000601:surgery*; D012042:Registries; D012307:Risk Factors; D012449:Safety