title: Two techniques to avoid surgery for cardiac tamponade occurring during catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation.
abstract: Catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation (AF) is associated with cardiac tamponade in between 0.1% and 2.4% of patients when performed in experienced centers. In the vast majority of cases, the tamponade can be managed conservatively; however, occasionally, urgent sternotomy and open repair are needed. In this report, we describe two techniques for pericardial drainage in patients who, without their use, would almost certainly have required an open exploration and surgical repair.
authors: Hôpital Cardiologique du Haut Lévêque and Université Victor Segalen Bordeaux II, Bordeaux, Pessac, France.
authors: Mark D
authors: MD
authors: O'Neill
authors: Pierre
authors: P
authors: Jaïs
authors: Nicolas
authors: N
authors: Derval
authors: Mélèze
authors: M
authors: Hocini
authors: Michel
authors: M
authors: Haïssaguerre
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000150:complications* / Q000601:surgery*; D002305:Cardiac Tamponade / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000601:surgery; D017115:Catheter Ablation / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods*; D004322:Drainage / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016896:Treatment Outcome