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Complications and Definition of Success

  • Chapter
Atrial Fibrillation

Part of the book series: Contemporary Cardiology ((CONCARD))

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Abstract

Major complications related to atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation have been reported in 3% to 6% of procedures. These include pulmonary vein stenosis, thromboembolic events, phrenic and recurrent laryngeal nerve injury, cardiac perforation and tamponade, and atrio—esophageal fistula. A better understanding of the pathophysiology of these events has decreased the current incidence to 1% to 2%. Formal evaluation of procedural effi cacy includes assessment of AF-free survival, although the format and extent of postprocedural rhythm evaluation and the signifi cance of asymptomatic AF remain controversial. Consensus guidelines for defi ning successful AF ablation are under development.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Loyola University Medical Center, Maywood, IL, USA

    Adam Shapira (Fellow in Clinical Cardiac Electrophysiology)

  2. Loyola University Health System, Maywood, IL, USA

    David J. Wilber (Director, Cardiovascular Institute, Division Director, Cardiology, George M. Eisenberg Professor of Cardiovascular Sciences)

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  1. Adam Shapira
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  2. David J. Wilber
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Arrhythmia Institute, St. David's Medical Center, Austin, Texas, USA

    Andrea Natale MD (Executive Medical Director of the Texas Cardiac Arrhythmia Institute, Consulting Professor) (Executive Medical Director of the Texas Cardiac Arrhythmia Institute, Consulting Professor)

  2. Division of Cardiology, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA, USA

    Andrea Natale MD (Executive Medical Director of the Texas Cardiac Arrhythmia Institute, Consulting Professor) (Executive Medical Director of the Texas Cardiac Arrhythmia Institute, Consulting Professor)

  3. University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA

    José Jalife MD (Professor of Internal Medicine, The Cyrus and Jane Farrehi Professor of Cardiovascular Research, Professor of Molecular and Integrative Physiology) (Professor of Internal Medicine, The Cyrus and Jane Farrehi Professor of Cardiovascular Research, Professor of Molecular and Integrative Physiology)

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Shapira, A., Wilber, D.J. (2008). Complications and Definition of Success. In: Natale, A., Jalife, J. (eds) Atrial Fibrillation. Contemporary Cardiology. Humana Press. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-59745-163-5_20

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