Incidence and Predictors of Cardiac Tamponade in Contemporary Thermal Catheter Ablation of Atrial Fibrillation

The real-world incidence of cardiac tamponade during contemporary thermal AF ablation was 0.64%, with surgical intervention required in 0.03%. Lateral mitral isthmus ablation, paroxysmal AF, and lack of direct thrombin inhibitor use were independent predictors, with lateral mitral isthmus ablation being the strongest predictor.