title: Complications associated with radiofrequency ablation of pulmonary veins.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Radiofrequency ablation is an efficacious alternative in patients with symptomatic atrial fibrillation who do not respond to or are intolerant to at least one class I or class III antiarrhythmic drug. Although radiofrequency ablation is a safe procedure, complications can occur. Depending on the location, these complications can be classified into those that affect the pulmonary veins themselves, cardiac complications, extracardiac intrathoracic complications, remote complications, and those that result from vascular access. The most common complications are hematomas, arteriovenous fistulas, and pseudoaneurysms at the puncture site. Some complications are benign and transient, such as gastroparesis or diaphragmatic elevation, whereas others are potentially fatal, such as cardiac tamponade.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Radiologists must be familiar with the complications that can occur secondary to pulmonary vein ablation to ensure early diagnosis and treatment.
authors: Servicio de Radiodiagnóstico, Clínica Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, España. Electronic address: jmadrid@unav.es.
authors: J M
authors: JM
authors: Madrid Pérez
authors: Servicio de Radiodiagnóstico, Clínica Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, España.
authors: P M
authors: PM
authors: García Barquín
authors: Department of Radiology, Hinchingbrooke Health Care, Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, Gran Bretaña.
authors: A J
authors: AJ
authors: Villanueva Marcos
authors: Departamento de Cardiología, Clínica Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, España.
authors: J I
authors: JI
authors: García Bolao
authors: Servicio de Radiodiagnóstico, Clínica Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, España.
authors: G
authors: G
authors: Bastarrika Alemañ
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D017115:Catheter Ablation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology*; D011667:Pulmonary Veins / Q000601:surgery*; D014656:Vascular Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods
keywords: Ablación; Ablation; Atrial fibrillation; Estenosis; Fibrilación auricular; Infarto pulmonar; Pseudoaneurysm; Pulmonary infarction; Pulmonary veins; Seudoaneurisma; Stenosis; Tamponade; Taponamiento; Thrombosis; Trombosis; Venas pulmonares