title: CE: Catheter Ablation of Atrial Fibrillation.
abstract: Catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation is a complex procedure. Although complications are rare and their incidence is decreasing, early recognition and appropriate nursing care can prevent an adverse event from spiraling into a major complication. A thorough understanding of complications associated with the ablation of atrial fibrillation and prompt recognition when they occur will help nurses to minimize the substantial morbidity, mortality, and hospital costs associated with them. This article gives an overview of the procedure, its possible complications, and best practices for nursing care.
authors.affiliation: Linda M. Hoke is a clinical nurse specialist in the cardiac intermediate care unit and Yelena S. Streletsky is a clinical nurse in the cardiac care unit at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia. Contact author: Linda M. Hoke, linda.hoke@uphs.upenn.edu. The authors and planners have disclosed no potential conflicts of interest, financial or otherwise.
authors.forename: Linda M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Hoke
authors.forename: Yelena S
authors.initials: YS
authors.lastname: Streletsky
mesh_terms: D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000601:surgery*; D017115:Catheter Ablation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D009730:Nursing Assessment; D011182:Postoperative Care / Q000451:nursing*