title: Esophageal hematoma complicating catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation.
abstract: Significant injury to the esophagus during ablation for atrial fibrillation is rare but may be devastating. Esophageal fistulas and injury to branches of the vagus nerve resulting in gastric stasis have previously been described. In this case report, we describe another type of esophageal injury associated with catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation. The patient experienced chest pain and vomiting on recovery from anesthesia. Echocardiography and computerized tomography were used to identify a large esophageal hematoma. The hematoma was treated conservatively and the patient recovered fully after several weeks.
authors.affiliation: Westmead Private Hospital and The University of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
authors.forename: Rebecca
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: McCall
authors.forename: Stuart P
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Thomas
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D017115:Catheter Ablation; D002637:Chest Pain / Q000150:complications; D004562:Electrocardiography; D004935:Esophageal Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006471:Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D006439:Hemodynamics / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D011667:Pulmonary Veins / Q000503:physiopathology; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014463:Ultrasonography; D014839:Vomiting / Q000150:complications