Atrial fibrillation ablation complications

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a common arrhythmia. Although significant work still needs to be done, recent advances in understanding the mechanisms of AF have led to the development of elegant catheter mapping techniques for ablation of AF, complemented by the evolution of various imaging and navigational technologies. Due to the complexity of the arrhythmia, and the significant length of time needed to successfully ablate in the left atrium, it is imperative that an acceptable risk-benefit profile be defined. Various complications, some of them serious, have been reported in the last several years. This review addresses the potential risks of AF ablation and how to avoid some of these complications.