Case report
Successful Repair of an Atrioesophageal Fistula After Catheter Ablation for Atrial Fibrillation

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.athoracsur.2011.05.050Get rights and content

Catheter ablation of arrhythmias can result in the rare but devastating complication of an atrioesophageal fistula. This complication can be associated with significant neurologic morbidity and high mortality and requires a high index of suspicion to facilitate life-saving surgical intervention. Herein, we report the successful repair of an atrioesophageal fistula after catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation.

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We report a case of successful repair of an AEF after RFA for AF. RFA of the atrial wall is an increasingly common treatment for arrhythmias [5]. Although a generally safe procedure, the increasing frequency has revealed some rare but devastating complications. While uncommon, thermal injury to the esophagus is possible secondary to the proximity of the posterior LA wall to the esophagus [4], the thin atrial wall [4], and the absence of pericardium in this area [6]. Mild thermal injury to the

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