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.