Key result
A 59-year-old male developed an atrioesophageal fistula presenting with fever, altered mental status, and right hemiparesis 1 month after undergoing percutaneous ablation for atrial fibrillation.
Case Report (n=1)
Highlights atrioesophageal fistula as a severe complication of atrial fibrillation ablation that can present with neurological symptoms and fever.
Maintain suspicion for atrioesophageal fistula in post-AF ablation patients with fever and neurologic changes; case reports leave open incidence and prevention data.
A 59-year-old male patient with a history of atrial fibrillation who had undergone an atrial ablation procedure 1 month before presented with fever, altered mental status, and right hemiparesis concerning for stroke. Blood cultures grew alpha-hemolytic streptococcus. A computed tomography (CT) scan of the head was negative for embolic or hemorrhagic stroke; however, CT of the chest revealed air in the left atrium (Figure 1, A, arrowhead) and a fistulous connection between the left atrium and esophagus (Figure 1, B, arrow) suggestive of atrioesophageal fistula (AEF).
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Felmly et al. (2020) conducted a case report in Atrial fibrillation (n=1). Percutaneous ablation for atrial fibrillation was evaluated on Atrioesophageal fistula. A 59-year-old male developed an atrioesophageal fistula presenting with fever, altered mental status, and right hemiparesis 1 month after undergoing percutaneous ablation for atrial fibrillation.
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