21
Cardiac
tamponade
0.2% to
5%
Cather
manipulation,
transseptal
technique, reduce
power, force, and
RF time
Echocardiography Pericardiocentesis
or surgical
drainage
Coronary
artery stenosis/
occlusion
<0.1% Avoid high-power
energ y delivery
near coronary
arteries
Cardiac
catheterization
Percutaneous
transluminal
coronary
angioplasty
(PTCA)
Death <0.1%
to 0.4%
Meticulous
performance
of procedure,
attentive post
procedure care.
N/A N/A
Gastric
hypomotility
0% to
17%
Reduce power,
force, and RF time
on posterior wall
Endoscopy,
barium swallow,
gastric emptying
study
Metoclopramide,
possibly
intravenous
erythromycin
Mitral valve
entrapment
<0.1% Avoid circular
catheter placement
near or across
mitral valve;
clockwise torque
on catheter
Echocardiography Gentle catheter
manipulation,
surgical
extraction
Pericarditis 0% to
50%
None proven Clinical
history, ECG,
sedimentation
rate,
echocardiogram
Nonsteroidal
anti-
inflammatory
drug (NSAID),
colchicine,
steroids
Table 8. Incidence, Prevention, Diagnosis, and Treatment of
Selected Complications of AF Ablation (cont'd)
Complication Incidence
Selected
prevention
techniques
Diagnostic
testing
Selected
treatment
options
