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Case Reports
. 2004 Aug;15(8):960-2.
doi: 10.1046/j.1540-8167.2004.04083.x.

Left atrial-esophageal fistula following radiofrequency catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation

Mauricio I Scanavacca  1 , André D'ávila, José Parga, Eduardo Sosa
Affiliations
Case Reports

Left atrial-esophageal fistula following radiofrequency catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation

Mauricio I Scanavacca et al. J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol. 2004 Aug.

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.

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