A fatal complication due to radiofrequency ablation for atrial fibrillation: atrio-esophageal fistula

Ann Thorac Surg. 2003 Jul;76(1):281-3. doi: 10.1016/s0003-4975(03)00006-7.

Abstract

Treatment of chronic atrial fibrillation with intraoperative radiofrequency ablation is gaining more acceptance in patients with rheumatic valve disease. This article reports a case of fatal atrio-esophageal fistula after radiofrequency ablation in a patient with rheumatic mitral and aortic valve disease with chronic atrial fibrillation.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aortic Valve Stenosis / complications
  • Aortic Valve Stenosis / diagnosis
  • Aortic Valve Stenosis / surgery*
  • Atrial Fibrillation / complications
  • Atrial Fibrillation / diagnosis
  • Atrial Fibrillation / surgery*
  • Catheter Ablation / adverse effects*
  • Catheter Ablation / methods
  • Chronic Disease
  • Combined Modality Therapy
  • Electrocardiography
  • Esophageal Fistula / diagnosis
  • Esophageal Fistula / etiology*
  • Esophagoscopy
  • Fatal Outcome
  • Female
  • Heart Atria / pathology
  • Heart Valve Prosthesis*
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Mitral Valve Stenosis / complications
  • Mitral Valve Stenosis / diagnosis
  • Mitral Valve Stenosis / surgery*
  • Postoperative Complications / diagnosis
  • Severity of Illness Index