Abstract
Background/Introduction
Catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation (AF) is associated with a complication risk. It is common practice to monitor patients overnight post-procedurally which is resource craving.
Purpose
To evaluate the incidence of procedural complications related to catheter ablation of AF to assess the potential feasibility and safety of same day discharge in a large cohort.
Methods
We performed an analysis of prospectively collected data of complications of all patients staying overnight after undergoing AF ablation between 2001 and 2020 at a tertiary centre. By studying medical records, we analysed complications occurring intraprocedurally until six hours post-ablation, and between six hours post-ablation until discharge the day after ablation procedure (up to 24 hours post-procedure).
Results
In 5414 AF ablations we identified a total of 108 (2.0%) major complications occurring intraprocedural or until discharge the day after procedure. Most major complications occurred early and were detected intraprocedurally or within six hours after completed procedure (n=96, 1.8%). Twelve (0.2%) major complications occurred between six hours post-ablation and until discharge the day after procedure. The most common of these were congestive heart failure (n=6) and transient ischemic attack (TIA, n=4). In addition, there were 61 (1.1%) minor complications which occurred in this time span. Factors independently associated with major complications intraprocedurally or within 24 hours were age (p=0.046), body mass index (BMI) ≥30 kg/m2 (p=0.009), significant valvular disease (p=0.001), cardiomyopathy (p<0.001), prior stroke or TIA (p=0.014), first time procedure vs. repeat procedure (p=0.013), cryoablation vs. radiofrequency (p<0.001) and procedure duration (p<0.001).
Conclusion
Very few complications occurred between six hours and until discharge after ablation of atrial fibrillation. Therefore, same-day discharge may be a safe option for a large proportion of patients.
FUNDunding Acknowledgement
Type of funding sources: Public grant(s) – National budget only. Main funding source(s): Region Stockholm funding
Low incidence of major complications after the first six hours post-atrial fibrillation ablation – same-day discharge safe and feasible in most patients
