Factors impacting complication rates for catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation from 2003 to 2015

Eunice Yang, Esra Gucuk Ipek, Muhammad Balouch, Yuliya Mints, Jonathan Chrispin, Joseph E. Marine, Ronald D. Berger, Hiroshi Ashikaga, Jack Rickard, Hugh Calkins, Saman Nazarian, David D. Spragg

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

31 Scopus citations

Abstract

Aims Complications from catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation (AF) are well described. Changing aspects of AF ablation including patient populations referred, institutional experience, and emerging catheter and pharmacological options may impact complication rates. We assessed procedural complication trends in AF ablation patients from 2003-2015 to identify what factors affect adverse event rates. Methods and results We evaluated consecutively enrolled patients undergoing initial AF ablation from 2003 through 2015. Statistical analyses were performed to identify predictors of increased risk for major complications, which were defined as death, stroke, atrio-oesophageal fistula, phrenic nerve injury, cardiovascular events requiring blood transfusions or procedural interventions, or non-cardiovascular events requiring intervention. A total of 1475 patients (mean age 59.5+10.5, 82% male) were evaluated. Major complications occurred in 3.9% (n = 58) of cases, including vascular access-site haematoma (1.3%), cardiac tamponade (1.1%), and cerebrovascular accident (CVA) (0.9%). Univariate analysis revealed increased risk of complications associated with hypertension (P = 0.048), CHA2DS2VASc score >1 (P = 0.015), and early institutional experience (P = 0.003). Populations with higher CHA2DS2VASc scores underwent AF ablation more frequently over time (P , 0.001). Novel catheters and anticoagulants did not appreciably affect complication rates. Multivariate analysis adjusting for hypertension, CHA2DS2VASc score, and institutional experience showed that higher CHA2DS2VASc score and early institutional experience were independent predictors of adverse events. Conclusion Patient characteristics reflected in CHA2DS2VASc scoring and early institutional experience predict increased complication rates following AF ablation. Despite more patients with higher CHA2DS2VASc scores undergoing AF ablation, complication rates fell over time as institutional experience increased.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)241-249
Number of pages9
JournalEuropace
Volume19
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Feb 1 2017

Keywords

  • Ablation
  • Atrial fibrillation
  • Complications

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine
  • Physiology (medical)

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