Frecuentación y motivos de asistencia en el servicio de urgencias tras la ablación de fibrilación auricular con criobalón / Emergency department attendance and reasons for consultation after cryoballoon ablation for pulmonary vein isolation of atrial fibrillation

Introducción y objetivos Existe poca información sobre la frecuentación a urgencias en las semanas siguientes a un procedimiento de aislamiento de venas pulmonares con criobalón. El objetivo del estudio es cuantificar las visitas a urgencias en los primeros 3 meses tras el procedimiento, evaluando los motivos, el diagnóstico final y la actitud terapéutica. Métodos Estudio observacional retrospectivo sobre 330 pacientes sometidos a un primer procedimiento de crioablación de fibrilación auricular. Se realizó un seguimiento de 90 días tras el procedimiento durante el que se registraron las visitas a urgencias con los síntomas que motivaron la consulta, electrocardiograma, actitud terapéutica y diagnóstico final, clasificado como alteración del ritmo, complicación confirmada, complicación posible y sin relación con el procedimiento ni con el trastorno arrítmico. Resultados Un total de 112 pacientes (34%) consultaron en urgencias, 50 de ellos (44,6%) por palpitaciones. En 44 pacientes (39,3%) se documentó una arritmia auricular sostenida. De las 29 consultas (25,9%) por síntomas potencialmente relacionados con complicaciones del procedimiento, 5 fueron complicaciones confirmadas de la punción inguinal, 10 quedaron con diagnóstico no confirmado de posible complicación y 41 visitas no guardaron relación con el procedimiento. El 21,4% del total de consultas fueron por palpitaciones en las que no se tomó ninguna medida terapéutica. Conclusiones Un tercio de los pacientes consultaron en urgencias al menos 1 vez, y los síntomas arrítmicos fueron el motivo más frecuente. Las complicaciones diferidas del procedimiento son raras y, en general, benignas. La disponibilidad de un sistema de teleconsulta con transmisión del ECG a distancia podría evitar hasta un 20% de los desplazamientos a urgencias. (AU)

Introduction and objectives There are few data on emergency visits after cryoballoon-based pulmonary vein isolation. The aim of this study was to quantify emergency department visits during the first 3 months after the procedure and to identify the reasons for consultation, final diagnoses, and the therapeutic approach. Methods Observational, retrospective study of 330 consecutive patients undergoing a first cryoballoon-based ablation procedure. Patients were followed up for 90 days after the procedure. We recorded emergency visits, symptoms, electrocardiographic data, and the therapeutic approach. Final diagnoses were classified as rhythm disorder, confirmed complication, possible complication, and unrelated to the procedure or to the arrhythmic disorder. Results A total of 112 (34%) patients attended the emergency department, 50 (44.6%) for palpitations. Sustained atrial arrhythmias were documented in 44 (39.3%) patients. Among the 29 (25.9%) visits for complications potentially related to the procedure, 5 were confirmed inguinal puncture complications and 10 were classified as unconfirmed possible complications. Forty-one visits were unrelated to the procedure or to the arrhythmic disorder. A total of 21.4% of the visits were due to palpitations requiring no therapeutic action. Conclusions A third of the patients attended the emergency department at least once, with the most frequent reason being arrhythmia-related symptoms. Late complications were rare and generally mild. Up to 20% of emergency visits could potentially be avoided by the availability of a teleconsulting system with remote electrocardiogram transmission. (AU)

Emergency department attendance and reasons for consultation after cryoballoon ablation for pulmonary vein isolation of atrial fibrillation.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: There are few data on emergency visits after cryoballoon-based pulmonary vein isolation. The aim of this study was to quantify emergency department visits during the first 3 months after the procedure and to identify the reasons for consultation, final diagnoses, and the therapeutic approach. METHODS: Observational, retrospective study of 330 consecutive patients undergoing a first cryoballoon-based ablation procedure. Patients were followed up for 90 days after the procedure. We recorded emergency visits, symptoms, electrocardiographic data, and the therapeutic approach. Final diagnoses were classified as rhythm disorder, confirmed complication, possible complication, and unrelated to the procedure or to the arrhythmic disorder. RESULTS: A total of 112 (34%) patients attended the emergency department, 50 (44.6%) for palpitations. Sustained atrial arrhythmias were documented in 44 (39.3%) patients. Among the 29 (25.9%) visits for complications potentially related to the procedure, 5 were confirmed inguinal puncture complications and 10 were classified as unconfirmed possible complications. Forty-one visits were unrelated to the procedure or to the arrhythmic disorder. A total of 21.4% of the visits were due to palpitations requiring no therapeutic action. CONCLUSIONS: A third of the patients attended the emergency department at least once, with the most frequent reason being arrhythmia-related symptoms. Late complications were rare and generally mild. Up to 20% of emergency visits could potentially be avoided by the availability of a teleconsulting system with remote electrocardiogram transmission.