Atrioesophageal fistula after surgical unipolar radiofrequency atrial ablation for atrial fibrillation

Ann Thorac Surg. 2013 Mar;95(3):e61-2. doi: 10.1016/j.athoracsur.2012.08.066.

Abstract

Atrial fibrillation is the most common arrhythmia in the United States. Procedural treatment options such as the MAZE procedure and radiofrequency ablation are available with reasonable success rates. However, there are risks inherent to these procedures, with atrioesophageal fistula being a rare but devastating complication. We report a patient with atrioesophageal fistula who presented with neurologic symptoms 20 days after her initial MAZE procedure, followed by a quick decline within 24 hours of presentation.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Atrial Fibrillation / surgery*
  • Catheter Ablation / adverse effects*
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Echocardiography
  • Esophageal Fistula / diagnosis
  • Esophageal Fistula / etiology*
  • Esophagoscopy
  • Female
  • Fistula / diagnosis
  • Fistula / etiology
  • Heart Diseases / diagnosis
  • Heart Diseases / etiology
  • Humans
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed