What is a common cause of cardiac tamponade during AF ablation?

A common cause of cardiac tamponade during atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation is the application of high radiofrequency (RF) power. During the procedure, RF energy is used to create lesions in the heart tissue to disrupt the abnormal electrical pathways responsible for AF. If excessive power is applied, it can lead to accidental perforation of the heart wall or major blood vessels, resulting in blood accumulating in the pericardial space, known as cardiac tamponade.

This condition can critically compromise hemodynamics due to increased pressure on the heart, which limits its ability to fill and pump effectively. Therefore, careful control of RF power is essential to minimize the risk of such complications.

The other options do not directly correlate with cardiac tamponade in the context of AF ablation as clearly as the application of high RF power does. Excessive blood thinners, while they can increase the risk of bleeding, do not specifically cause tamponade in the same manner. Similarly, insufficient hydration and increased heart rate can lead to other complications during a procedure but are not definitive causes of cardiac tamponade during AF ablation.