Why the study?
Oesophageal fistula is a rare, life-threatening complication of AF ablation, but data on sex-related differences in its management and outcomes are limited.
Are there sex-based differences in the management and outcomes of oesophageal fistula following atrial fibrillation ablation?
Population
117 patients with oesophageal fistula following AF ablation across 214 centres in 35 countries
Comparison
Female vs male patients
Design
Global multicentre observational study subanalysis
Key result
Female sex was associated with more frequent endoscopic and less frequent surgical interventions for oesophageal fistula after AF ablation, with similar fatality rates to men (63.6% vs 67.2%; p=0.70).
Authors
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High fatality rates exceed 60% without sex differences in post-ablation esophageal fistula; observational data leaves open whether management variations affect survival.
Observational (n=117)
Yes
Are there sex-based differences in the management and outcomes of oesophageal fistula following atrial fibrillation ablation?
Absolute Event Rate: 63.6% vs 67.2%
p-value: p=0.70
While women with oesophageal fistula post-AF ablation undergo endoscopic therapy more often and surgery less often than men, the extremely high fatality rates are comparable between sexes.
Popescu et al. (2026) conducted an observational in Oesophageal fistula following atrial fibrillation ablation (n=117). Female sex vs. Male sex was evaluated on Fatality rate (p=0.70). Female sex was associated with more frequent endoscopic and less frequent surgical interventions for oesophageal fistula after AF ablation, with similar fatality rates to men (63.6% vs 67.2%; p=0.70).
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