Key result
Radiofrequency ablation for atrial fibrillation can lead to severe thermal esophageal injury, complicated by deep ulceration, perforation, and life-threatening mediastinitis.
Case Report (n=1)
Highlights severe esophageal injury and mediastinitis as a rare but life-threatening complication of radiofrequency ablation for atrial fibrillation.
Heightens awareness of rare but life-threatening esophageal injury after AF ablation; case report leaves open optimal prevention strategies.
Various degrees of esophageal injury have been described after radiofrequency ablation performed for treatment of atrial fibrillation. The main mechanism of injury is thermal and may lead to a range of esophageal mucosal changes, some clinically insignificant, however when deep ulceration occurs, this may be further complicated by perforation and mediastinitis, a rare but life threatening sequelae. We present a case of a severe esophageal injury leading to mediastinitis, with interesting endoscopic findings.
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Katz‐Agranov et al. (2017) conducted a case report in Atrial fibrillation (n=1). Radiofrequency ablation was evaluated on Severe esophageal injury leading to mediastinitis. Radiofrequency ablation for atrial fibrillation can lead to severe thermal esophageal injury, complicated by deep ulceration, perforation, and life-threatening mediastinitis.
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