Complications
Only four patients (2.0% of CF and 3.9% of control patients)
experienced complications. One CF case was successful but resulted in
mild aortic insufficiency on follow up echocardiogram. Three control
cases had complications including ischemia and ventricular fibrillation
(VF), cardiac perforation during transseptal puncture, and a groin
hematoma. The ischemic event was identified by ST segment depression, T
wave inversion, bradycardia, and hypoxemia; it was likely secondary to
sustained ventricular pacing during mapping. The patient went into
sustained VF requiring defibrillation to return to normal sinus rhythm.
All patients recovered fully from their complications. Minor
complications that did not require intervention or extend the patient’s
hospital stay were considered insignificant and not recorded.