Early Cerebral Thromboembolic Complications following Radiofrequency Catheter Ablation of Atrial Fibrillation: Incidence, Characteristics and Risk Factors
Atrial Fibrillation Thursday, August 7th, 2014Heart rhythm journal: July 30, 2014
Background
Thromboembolic complications remain one of the most severe adverse events associated with catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation (AF) but there are limited data on those events.
Objective
The aim of this study was to evaluate the incidence, characteristics and risk factors of thromboembolic complications after AF ablation.
Methods
Cerebral thromboembolic complications within one month following 3360 consecutive AF radiofrequency catheter ablations were assessed. Stroke was defined as a neurologic deficit lasting more than 24 hours or with imaging study showing new infarction. Transient ischemic attack (TIA) was defined as a deficit lasting less than 24 hours and without documented infarction. Read more