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

Abstract

Evidence on the impact of obesity on catheter ablation for ventricular tachycardia (VT) is scarce. 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. VT ablation could be performed relatively safely among patients with obesity.