Why the study?
Atrial-esophageal fistula is a rare but devastating and lethal complication of catheter ablation whose variable presentation requires early diagnosis and treatment to prevent fatality.
Case Report (n=1)
This case highlights the critical need for early recognition and surgical management of atrial-esophageal fistulas, a rare but highly lethal complication of radiofrequency ablation for atrial fibrillation.
Heightens post-ablation vigilance for this rare fistula; leaves open optimal prevention strategies pending prospective data.
Radiofrequency catheter ablation has been commonly used for the treatment of drug-refractory atrial fibrillation. The esophageal injury along with the development of atrial-esophageal fistula (AE fistula) is fairly rare but is a devastating complication of catheter ablation. Described in 2004 for the first time, it is the most lethal of all the complications of catheter ablation with a high mortality rate. The clinical presentation of an AE fistula is variable, however, early diagnosis and treatment can prevent a fatality. We have reported a case of an AE fistula post catheter ablation for drug-resistant atrial fibrillation, along with its treatment, diagnosis, and possible preventive measures.
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Khan et al. (2020) conducted a case report in Atrial fibrillation (n=1). Radiofrequency catheter ablation was evaluated.
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