Impact of obesity on catheter ablation of ventricular tachycardia: In‐hospital and 30‐day outcomes

Abstract

Abstract Background Evidence on the impact of obesity on catheter ablation for ventricular tachycardia (VT) is scarce. Method and Results We queried the Nationwide Readmissions Database to determine the hospital outcomes and procedural complications of VT ablation among the obese and nonobese populations. Obesity was associated with a more prolonged length of stay (p < .01), higher cost of hospitalization (p < .01), and higher rates of pericardial effusion or hemopericardium (p = .05) and vascular complications (p = .05). There was no significant difference in early mortality, 30‐day readmissions, and other procedural complications. Conclusion VT ablation could be performed relatively safely among patients with obesity.

Keywords

• catheter ablation
• in‐hospital outcomes
• obesity
• procedural complications
• ventricular tachycardia