Potential complications of catheter ablation of AVRT

Potential complications of catheter ablation of AVRT

Overall incidence of complications for catheter ablation of atrioventricular reentrant tachycardia is about 1-4%.

Potential complications of vascular access:

Haematoma, deep vein thrombosis, perforation of aorta, AV fistula, pneumothorax.

Potential complications of catheter manipulation:

Valvular damage, microemboli, perforation of coronary sinus or myocardial wall, coronary dissection or thrombosis.

Potential complications of delivery of radiofrequency energy:

AV block, myocardial perforation, coronary spasm or occlusion, TIA or Stroke. The incidence of complete heart block is about 1% and is likely to occur with ablation of septal or posteroseptal pathways. Procedure related death is very rare, < 0.2%.

It may be noted that overall, catheter ablation of AVRT is a relatively safe procedure, though there a number of listed complications.