Key result
Radiofrequency ablation for refractory AF can cause rare atrioesophageal fistulas leading to upper GI bleeding.
Why the study?
Atrioesophageal fistula is a rare but serious complication of radiofrequency ablation for refractory atrial fibrillation, and endoscopic treatment of vascular-enteric fistulas is not established.
Case Report (n=1)
Highlights atrioesophageal fistula as a rare but serious complication of radiofrequency ablation for atrial fibrillation, presenting as upper gastrointestinal bleeding.
Endoscopic therapy for atrioesophageal fistula remains unestablished; leaves open optimal multidisciplinary protocols after AF ablation.
We present the case of a patient with upper gastrointestinal bleeding caused by an atrioesophageal fistula secondary to radiofrequency ablation for the treatment of refractory atrial fibrillation. Atrioesophageal fistula is a rare but serious complication. The endoscopic treatment is not established in the case of vascular-enteric fistulas and is still a challenge for endoscopists, which requires in most cases a multidisciplinary approach.
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Tejerizo-García et al. (2022) conducted a case report in Atrioesophageal fistula secondary to atrial fibrillation ablation (n=1). Radiofrequency ablation was evaluated on Upper gastrointestinal bleeding caused by atrioesophageal fistula. Radiofrequency ablation for refractory atrial fibrillation can cause atrioesophageal fistula leading to upper gastrointestinal bleeding, a rare complication requiring multidisciplinary management.
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