Radiofrequency Ablation Side Effects and Warnings

Possible Complications

Complications are rare, but no procedure is completely free of risk. If you are planning to have ablation, your doctor will review a list of possible complications, which may include:

• Discomfort
• Bruising or bleeding
• Infection
• Lung collapse upon insertion of the probe (when the procedure involves the lung, liver, or upper kidney)
• Blood clots or damage to heart muscle or conduction pathways after procedures on the heart
• Liver abscess (small, localized collection of pus within a cavity left by the destroyed tissue)
• Damage to tissue surrounding the target area

Factors that may increase the risk of complications include:

• Bleeding problems
• Active infection

Call Your Doctor

After you leave the hospital, contact your doctor if any of the following occurs:

• Signs of infection, including fever and chills
• Redness, swelling, increasing pain, excessive bleeding, or any discharge from the incision site
• Pain that you cannot control with the medicines you have been given
• Cough, shortness of breath, heart palpitations, or chest pain
• Nausea and vomiting

In case of an emergency, CALL 911.