A cardiac ablation is a medical procedure that corrects heart arrhythmias by inserting a catheter into a blood vessel in the groin and leading it to the heart. After placing the catheter, the physician uses electrical impulses to scar the area of the heart causing the arrhythmia. As with all medical procedures, certain risks are possible with a cardiac ablation. Being older than 75 increases the risk of complications associated with a cardiac ablation, according to MayoClinic.com.
Cardiac Tamponade
A cardiac tamponade may occur due to a cardiac ablation. This condition causes pressure on the heart due to a buildup of fluid in the area between the heart muscle and the membrane covering the heart. The ventricles of the heart don't pump effectively due to the fluid and pressure. This condition signifies a medical emergency to remove the fluid.
Fistula Formation
A fistula is a connection between two organs that doesn't normally occur. A cardiac ablation may cause a fistula to form between the esophagus and a portion of the heart called the atrium, according to MedlinePlus.
Tissue and Nerve Damage
Damage to tissue may occur due to a variety of reasons. The end of the catheter can puncture the heart, according to MayoClinic.com. The catheter can also damage blood vessels as it passes through on the way to the heart for the ablation. Blood vessels at risk for damage include the artery where the physician inserts the catheter all the way to the coronary arteries in the heart. Damage to the valves in the heart may also occur during the procedure. Nerves, such as the vagus nerve and the phrenic nerve, can sustain damage during a cardiac ablation, according to MedlinePlus. These nerves help control motor and sensory processes in the body.
Blood Clots and Bleeding
You may experience bleeding from the site where the catheter enters the body. Applying sandbags to the insertion site while lying flat after the procedure can help prevent bleeding. Blood clots can occur when the ablation occurs, or from an attempt to stop the bleeding at the catheter insertion site. If the blood clots travel to the heart, lungs or brain, it can be fatal.
Kidney Damage
During a cardiac ablation, the physician injects radiographic dye into the blood vessel. Once the dye circulates through the bloodstream, the kidneys filter it out of the body. The dye may damage the kidneys, especially for people with pre-existing kidney problems.
