Left Atrial–Esophageal Fistula Following Radiofrequency Catheter Ablation of Atrial Fibrillation
- 24 August 2004
- journal article
- case report
- Published by Wiley in Journal of Cardiovascular Electrophysiology
- Vol. 15 (8), 960-962
- https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1540-8167.2004.04083.x
Abstract
This report describes a fatal case of left atrial-esophageal fistula occurring in a 72-year-old man after a radiofrequency catheter ablation of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. Catheter ablation was performed around the pulmonary vein using an 8-mm-tip electrode (60 W or 55 degrees C) guided by a 25-mm circular catheter. On day 22 of follow-up, the patient presented with seizures followed by hematemesis due to left atrial-esophageal fistula. His clinical condition deteriorated, and he died of speticemia. Thus, left atrial-esophageal fistula is a sever complication of radiofrequency catheter ablation of the left atrial posterior wall.Keywords
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