IMR Press / RCM / Volume 18 / Issue 3 / DOI: 10.3909/ricm0883

Reviews in Cardiovascular Medicine (RCM) is published by IMR Press from Volume 19 Issue 1 (2018). Previous articles were published by another publisher in Open Access under a CC-BY (or CC-BY-NC-ND) licence, and they are hosted by IMR Press on imrpress.com as a courtesy and upon agreement with MedReviews, LLC.

Open Access Case Review
Atrioesophageal Fistula Following Radiofrequency Catheter Ablation of Atrial Fibrillation
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1 Department of Internal Medicine, Beaumont Health, Royal Oak, MI
2 Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Lehigh Valley Health Network, Allentown, PA
3 Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, St. Luke's University Health Network, Bethlehem, PA
4 Department of Internal Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN
5 Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Beaumont Health, Royal Oak, MI
Rev. Cardiovasc. Med. 2017, 18(3), 115–122; https://doi.org/10.3909/ricm0883
Published: 30 September 2017
Abstract
Atrioesophageal fistula (AEF) is a rare but catastrophic complication of catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation (AF), with an incidence of 0.03% to 1.5% per year. We report two cases and review the epidemiology, clinical features, pathogenesis, and management of AEF after AF ablation. The principal clinical features of AEF include fever, hematemesis, and neurologic deficits within 2 months after ablation. The close proximity of the esophagus to the posterior left atrial wall is considered responsible for esophageal injury during ablation and the eventual development of AEF. Prophylactic proton pump inhibitors, esophageal temperature monitoring, visualization of the esophagus during catheter ablation, esophageal protection devices, esophageal cooling, and avoidance of energy delivery in close proximity to the esophagus are some techniques to prevent esophageal injury. Eliminating esophageal injury during AF ablation is of utmost importance in preventing AEF. A high index of suspicion and early intervention are necessary to prevent fatal outcomes. Early surgical repair is the mainstay of treatment.
Keywords
Atrial fibrillation
Atrioesophageal fistula
Catheter ablation
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