What can result from excessive heating during RF ablation?

During radiofrequency (RF) ablation, excessive heating can lead to a phenomenon known as a "pop lesion." This occurs when the tissue being ablated reaches excessive temperatures, causing steam formation within the tissue. This rapid expansion of steam can create a rupture or lesion, which is characterized by a dramatic change in the tissue structure at the ablation site.

Pop lesions are particularly concerning because they can complicate the procedure, leading to unintended damage in surrounding tissues such as the esophagus or phrenic nerve, and can increase the risk of complications like perforation or other thermal injuries. Understanding this potential outcome is crucial for clinicians performing RF ablation, as it emphasizes the importance of careful temperature monitoring and appropriate technique to avoid excessive thermal energy delivery.

The other options—atrial flutter, heart failure, and electrolyte imbalance—are all potential complications related to atrial fibrillation and its treatment, but they do not specifically arise from the thermal properties or phenomena involved in RF ablation.