Key result
RF ablation linked to fatal infective endocarditis caused by an atrioesophageal fistula.
Case Report (n=1)
This case highlights the rare but fatal complication of atrioesophageal fistula presenting as infective endocarditis and severe neurologic injury following radiofrequency catheter ablation.
Vigilance for atrioesophageal fistula is warranted in post-ablation neurologic or infectious presentations; single case leaves open incidence and prevention strategies.
We report a case of infective endocarditis caused by an atrioesophageal fistula. A 43-year-old man who had undergone radiofrequency ablation 4 weeks earlier was admitted with transient right-side weakness. His condition worsened as he developed fever, motor weakness, and seizures. Brain magnetic resonance imaging revealed multiple infarctions, and transesophageal echocardiography identified 2 large linear echogenic masses on the posterosuperior wall of the left atrium. Chest computed tomography later confirmed the presence of an atrioesophageal fistula. Despite receiving antibiotic therapy, his neurologic status did not improve, and he succumbed to his illness 2 months later.
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Ko et al. (2025) conducted a case report in Infective endocarditis caused by atrioesophageal fistula (n=1). Radiofrequency catheter ablation was evaluated on Clinical outcome. A 43-year-old man developed fatal infective endocarditis caused by an atrioesophageal fistula 4 weeks after undergoing radiofrequency catheter ablation.
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