An atrioesophageal fistula is an uncommon complication of atrial ablation with a mortality rate of 40-100%. Uniform treatment guidelines have yet to be established. Herein, we illustrate the successful surgical management of an atrioesophageal fistula, avoiding the need for an oesophageal surgical intervention by sealing and clipping of the oesophagus. This novel single-step hybrid approach combining cardiac surgical and gastroenterological techniques provides a less aggressive strategy with potentially a more favourable prognosis.
Keywords: Atrial fibrillation ablation; atrioesophageal fistula; hybrid repair.
© The Author(s) 2021. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery. All rights reserved.