Temporal trends in safety and complication rates of catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation

Abstract

The safety profile of AF ablation has improved significantly in less than a decade.

Effect of obstructive sleep apnea and its treatment of atrial fibrillation recurrence after radiofrequency catheter ablation: A meta‐analysis

“…A recent study on catheter ablation in AF patients suggested increasing proportion of patients with OSA undergoing catheter ablation for AF in the modern era cohort (2014‐2015) when compared with historic cohort (2009‐2011). These findings suggest that these coexistences remain an ongoing issue in the modern era …”

“…These findings suggest that these coexistences remain an ongoing issue in the modern era. 14 Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is a well-known, effective therapy for OSA. Several studies have demonstrated favorable effects of CPAP therapy on preventing arrhythmias recurrence, heart rate control in patients with AF, and in decreasing severity and/or frequency of ventricular extrasystoles 3,7,13,15 Although the exact mechanism of CPAP use improves the success of AF treatment remains unclear, it has been suggested to be due to a reduction of the structural and electrical remodeling of the left atrium and oxidative stress, resulting in a lower recurrence rate of AF.…”

Same‐day discharge in selected patients undergoing atrial fibrillation ablation

“…The only complication observed among day‐cases was a right phrenic nerve palsy in a cryoballoon ablation: this well‐known risk is usually a transient phenomenon and indeed it had resolved on patient return to the ward, allowing same‐day discharge as planned. As an expectation of a low complication rate is critical while planning for wide adoption of a day‐case ablation strategy, it is notable that a decrease in AF ablation complication rates overall has been observed lately . This is particularly the case with the increasing use of ultrasound for vascular access, as vascular complications are by far the most common and those most likely to preclude early mobilization and same‐day discharge.…”

Early versus delayed removal of the pericardial drain in patients with cardiac tamponade complicating radiofrequency ablation of atrial fibrillation

“…Cardiac tamponade is a common, potentially life‐threatening complication during radiofrequency ablation of atrial fibrillation (RAAF) and must be addressed in a timely manner 1–3 . Pericardiocentesis is used to relieve the tamponade in the vast majority of patients.…”

“…Cardiac tamponade is a common, potentially life-threatening complication during radiofrequency ablation of atrial fibrillation (RAAF) and must be addressed in a timely manner. [1][2][3] Pericardiocentesis is used to relieve the tamponade in the vast majority of patients. If patients show hemodynamic stability and no sign of pericardial bleeding, the pericardial drain can be removed.…”