title: Surgical repair of a left atrial-esophageal fistula after radiofrequency catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation.
abstract: Left atrial-esophageal fistula is a highly lethal complication of ablative therapy for atrial fibrillation. Because of its unusual rate of occurrence, there has not been a uniform approach to either the diagnosis or corrective therapy. We offer 1 such surgical option based on presumptive and early diagnosis-left atrial repair with cardiopulmonary bypass followed by repair of the esophagus with an omental wrap and supported with decompressive gastrostomy and feeding jejunostomy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery, Hofstra North Shore-LIJ Health System School of Medicine, Manhasset, New York 11030, USA. ahartman@nshs.edu
authors.forename: Alan R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Hartman
authors.forename: Lawrence
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Glassman
authors.forename: Stanley
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Katz
authors.forename: Larry
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Chinitz
authors.forename: William
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Ross
mesh_terms: D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000601:surgery*; D017115:Catheter Ablation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004937:Esophageal Fistula / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D005402:Fistula / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006325:Heart Atria; D006331:Heart Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013908:Thoracotomy / Q000379:methods*