What Are the Risks of Catheter Ablation?
Though few, catheter ablation does have risks.
Possible problems are:
- Bleeding, infection, and pain where the catheter
was inserted.
- Damage to blood vessels. This complication is
very rare. Its caused by the catheter scraping or poking a hole in a
blood vessel as its guided to the heart.
- Puncture of the heart.
- Damage to the hearts electrical system.
This may lead to the need for a permanent
pacemaker.
A pacemaker is a small device thats placed under the skin of your chest
or abdomen to help control abnormal heart rhythms.
- Blood clots, which could lead to stroke or other
damage.
- Narrowing of the veins that carry blood from the
lungs to the heart. This is called stenosis.
As with any heart procedure, complications can
sometimes, although rarely, be fatal. The risk of complications is higher if
you have diabetes or kidney disease. It also is higher if youre 75 years
old or older. |