Key result
Atrioesophageal fistula is a rare but potentially fatal complication of radiofrequency catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation, typically presenting within 60 days.
Atrioesophageal fistula is a rare but potentially fatal complication of RFCA for atrial fibrillation that requires early diagnosis and immediate surgical intervention.
Prompts heightened post-ablation monitoring for atrioesophageal fistula; leaves open optimal preventive strategies in AF ablation.
Atrioesophageal fistula with resulting air emboli is a rare but potentially fatal complication of radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) for atrial fibrillation. Patients typically present within 60 days after RFCA with fever, neurologic deficits, chest pain, and gastrointestinal bleeding. Chest CT with IV contrast reveals the atrioesophageal fistula in most cases, and CT of the head or MRI of the brain commonly reveals signs of air emboli. Early diagnosis, initiation of antibiotics, and immediate surgical intervention may improve patients' chances of survival.
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Jones et al. (2022) conducted a review in Atrioesophageal fistula following radiofrequency catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation. Radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) was evaluated. Atrioesophageal fistula is a rare but potentially fatal complication of radiofrequency catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation, typically presenting within 60 days.
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