Why the study?
Atrioesophageal fistula is a fatal complication of catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation that cannot be easily detected when thoracic contrast-enhanced CT is normal.
Can transthoracic echocardiography-monitored CO2-insufflation esophageal endoscopy safely diagnose atrioesophageal fistula in patients with normal or doubtful CT findings?
Can transthoracic echocardiography-monitored CO2-insufflation esophageal endoscopy safely diagnose atrioesophageal fistula in patients with normal or doubtful CT findings?
Transthoracic echocardiography-monitored CO2-insufflation esophageal endoscopy is a viable alternative for early detection of atrioesophageal fistula when CT findings are normal or doubtful.
May support TTE-monitored endoscopy for AEF when CT is equivocal; leaves open prospective validation before wider use.
BACKGROUND: Atrioesophageal fistula (AEF) is the most fatal complication associated with catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation and cannot be easily detected when thoracic contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) is normal. CASE PRESENTATION: -insufflation esophageal endoscopy with transthoracic echocardiography monitoring. Using this modified esophageal endoscopy, AEF was established due to the presence of both esophageal lesions and bubbles into the left atrium. That way, our patient accepted to be operated in time with good clinical prognosis. CONCLUSIONS: This modified esophageal endoscopy is an alternative tool for early detection of AEF when normal or doubtful CT findings present.
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Rong et al. (2020) studied this question.
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