Atrial fibrillation and stroke - Increasing stroke risk with intervention

In this review, we focus on the important newly recognized appreciation for the paradoxical increase in stroke and TIA as a result of intervention meant to treat atrial fibrillation (AF) with the hope of decreasing stroke risk in the long term. The impact of silent cerebral lesions recently appreciated as a potentially major limitation and risk with AF ablation is explained. We categorize our present understanding of how we can minimize risk and provide a platform for what will undoubtedly be newer study, changes in the way procedures are done today, and possibly vascular-based stroke-reduction strategies.