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Cerebrovascular Complication Associated with Pulmonary Vein Ablation
Author(s) -
KOK LAI CHOW,
MANGRUM J. MICHAEL,
HAINES DAVID E.,
MOUNSEY J. PAUL
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
journal of cardiovascular electrophysiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.193
H-Index - 138
eISSN - 1540-8167
pISSN - 1045-3873
DOI - 10.1046/j.1540-8167.2002.00764.x
Subject(s) - medicine , atrial fibrillation , ablation , pulmonary vein , cardiology , complication , catheter ablation , stroke (engine) , radiofrequency ablation , rf ablation , surgery , mechanical engineering , engineering
Stroke and PV Ablation.Introduction: Radiofrequency (RF) ablation has become an established treatment modality for patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF). A principal limitation of RF catheter ablation is the risk of thromboembolism. Stroke as a complication after ablation of triggers of AF has not been previously reported. Methods and Results: Fifty‐six patients underwent RF ablation for a focal source of AF. Forty‐nine patients (86%) had AF triggers in ≥1 pulmonary vein. Mean procedure time was 227 ± 74 minutes . Cerebrovascular event occurred in 3 (5%) patients, all >60 years old. Two of the three patients had a prior history of transient ischemic attacks. Conclusion: The risk of stroke from RF ablation may be higher in paroxysmal AF patients with prior transient ischemic attack.