What is the incidence of in-hospital complications related to catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter?
Nationwide administrative data from Germany in 2014 highlights higher than expected complication rates for atrial fibrillation and flutter ablations, emphasizing the need for individual-level studies in elderly, comorbid populations.
Administrative data of all atrial fibrillation ablations in Germany in 2014 revealed higher overall and major complication rates than previously reported. Few patients were treated in low volume centres, but were exposed to a higher overall complication risk. Atrial flutter ablations were associated with surprisingly high rates of life-threatening complications. Advanced age combined with highly prevalent cardiac, pulmonary and, vascular comorbidities likely play a major role. In addition, individual-level clinical studies need to address the safety and benefits of catheter ablation in an elderly, diseased population.
Steinbeck et al. (Sat,) studied this question.