Key result
Radiofrequency catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation can lead to a rare but fatal atrial-esophageal fistula presenting with brain and spinal cord septic infarcts.
Case Report (n=1)
No
Highlights a rare but severe complication of atrial fibrillation ablation where an atrial-esophageal fistula led to brain and spinal cord infarcts suggestive of septic emboli.
Clinicians should remain vigilant for atrial-esophageal fistula after AF ablation; leaves open incidence and prevention in larger cohorts.
Atrial-esophageal fistulas, a rare potential complication of ablative procedures for atrial fibrillation (AFib), can have neurologic symptoms as well as bacteremia and cardiac complications.1 Prior reported neurologic symptoms include encephalopathy, seizures, TIA, septic embolic stroke, and air emboli.2 We report a patient whose spinal cord inflammation on pathology is suggestive of septic emboli.
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Renati et al. (2017) conducted a case report in Atrial-esophageal fistula (n=1). Radiofrequency catheter ablation was evaluated on Neurologic complications (brain and spinal cord infarcts). Radiofrequency catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation can lead to a rare but fatal atrial-esophageal fistula presenting with brain and spinal cord septic infarcts.
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