Risks

Possible risks of pulmonary vein isolation include:

• Bleeding or infection at the site where the catheter was inserted
• Blood vessel damage
• Heart valve damage
• New or worsening arrhythmia
• Slow heart rate that could require a pacemaker to correct
• Blood clots in your legs or lungs (venous thromboembolism)
• Stroke or heart attack
• Narrowing of the veins that carry blood between your lungs and heart (pulmonary vein stenosis)
• Damage to your kidneys from dye, if used during the procedure (dye is not used in all types of ablation)
• Injury or ulceration of the swallowing tube (esophagus), which runs behind the heart
• Death in rare cases

Discuss the risks and benefits of cardiac ablation with your doctor to understand if this procedure is right for you.