title: Left atrial-esophageal fistula following radiofrequency catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation.
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.
authors.affiliation: Arrhythmia Unit-Heart Institute (Incor), University of São Paulo Medical School, São Paulo, Brazil. mauricio.scanavacca@incor.usp.br
authors.forename: Mauricio I
authors.initials: MI
authors.lastname: Scanavacca
authors.forename: André
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: D'ávila
authors.forename: José
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Parga
authors.forename: Eduardo
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Sosa
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*; D017115:Catheter Ablation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004937:Esophageal Fistula / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000401:mortality*; D006325:Heart Atria / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D017211:Treatment Failure