Overall incidence of complications for catheter ablation of AVRT (atrioventricular reentrant tachycardia) is about 1-4%.

Potential complications of vascular access: Haematoma, deep vein thrombosis, perforation of aorta, AV fistula, pneumothorax.

Potential complications of catheter manipulation: Valvar damage, microemboli, perforation of coronary sinus / myocardial wall, coronary dissection / thrombosis.

Potential complications of delivery of radiofrequency energy: AV block, myocardial perforation, corononary spasm or occlusion, TIA or Stroke.

The incidence of completer heart block is about 1% and is likely to occur with ablation of septal / postero-septal pathways. Procedure related death is very rare, < 0.2%.