Article information
Abstract
Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of the pulmonary veins is a common procedure used to treat persistent atrial fibrillation. Although it is generally safe and effective, it can be associated with complications of varying nature and severity. These include vascular access-related issues such as puncture site haematomas, complications involving the pulmonary veins themselves such as stenosis or thrombosis, and injuries to adjacent organs, including the development of atrio-oesophageal fistula, among others. Multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) is the technique of choice to assess these complications, as well as for identifying key anatomical features that should be considered during pre-procedural planning.
Keywords:
Atrial fibrillation
Radiofrequency ablation
Stenosis
Pulmonary veins
Atrio-oesophageal fistula
Multidetector computed tomography
Resumen
La ablación de venas pulmonares por radiofrecuencia es un procedimiento habitual utilizado para tratar la fibrilación auricular persistente. Aunque es una técnica eficaz y segura, puede asociarse con complicaciones de diversa entidad y gravedad (relacionadas con el acceso vascular como hematomas en el punto de punción, con las propias venas pulmonares como la estenosis o trombosis, y con los órganos adyacentes como el desarrollo de fístula atrioesofágica, entre otras). La tomografía computarizada multidetector (TCMD) es la técnica de elección para valorar estas complicaciones, así como los hallazgos anatómicos de interés a tener en cuenta en los estudios de planificación previos al procedimiento.
Palabras clave:
Fibrilación auricular
Ablación por radiofrecuencia
Venas pulmonares
Estenosis
Fístula atrioesofágica
Tomografía computarizada multidetector
Article
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