Successful repair of an atrioesophageal fistula after catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation

Ann Thorac Surg. 2012 Jan;93(1):313-5. doi: 10.1016/j.athoracsur.2011.05.050.

Abstract

Catheter ablation of arrhythmias can result in the rare but devastating complication of an atrioesophageal fistula. This complication can be associated with significant neurologic morbidity and high mortality and requires a high index of suspicion to facilitate life-saving surgical intervention. Herein, we report the successful repair of an atrioesophageal fistula after catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Atrial Fibrillation / surgery*
  • Catheter Ablation / adverse effects*
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Echocardiography
  • Esophageal Fistula / diagnosis
  • Esophageal Fistula / etiology
  • Esophageal Fistula / surgery*
  • Esophagoscopy
  • Fistula / diagnosis
  • Fistula / etiology
  • Fistula / surgery
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Heart Diseases / diagnosis
  • Heart Diseases / etiology
  • Heart Diseases / surgery
  • Humans
  • Intercostal Muscles / transplantation*
  • Male
  • Surgical Flaps*
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed