Atrial Fibrillation Ablation: Indications, New Advances, And Complications

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common cardiac arrhythmia affecting millions of people worldwide with increasing incidence and prevalence. Radiofrequency catheter ablation has evolved as the treatment of choice for both paroxysmal and persistent AF. Several studies have been reported on catheter ablation as the first-line treatment for paroxysmal AF and different strategies for persistent AF. New technologies such as contact-force sensing catheters and cryoballoon have been recently used and the procedure carries the risk of complications like hematoma, arteriovenous fistula, cardiac tamponade, pulmonary vein stenosis, atrio-esophageal fistula and death.