Left atrial-esophageal fistula repair after radiofrequency catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation. 2013

Jeffrey B Velotta, and Charles R Vasquez, and Ralph M Bolman, and Marcelo C Dasilva
Department of Thoracic Surgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, United States.

Left atrial-esophageal fistula (LAEF) is a rare complication of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) procedures undertaken for atrial fibrillation (AF). This complication is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Currently, there is no clear consensus on the appropriate management strategy. We report a case of a LAEF that developed in a patient 2 weeks after RFA for medication refractory AF. The patient underwent successful repair of the fistula through a left posterolateral thoracotomy, wherein the esophageal and atrial lesions were repaired primarily with an intercostal muscle flap and bovine pericardial patch to reinforce and prevent recurrence.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries

Related Publications

Jeffrey B Velotta, and Charles R Vasquez, and Ralph M Bolman, and Marcelo C Dasilva
October 2012, The Annals of thoracic surgery,
Jeffrey B Velotta, and Charles R Vasquez, and Ralph M Bolman, and Marcelo C Dasilva
August 2004, Journal of cardiovascular electrophysiology,
Jeffrey B Velotta, and Charles R Vasquez, and Ralph M Bolman, and Marcelo C Dasilva
March 2005, Journal of cardiovascular electrophysiology,
Jeffrey B Velotta, and Charles R Vasquez, and Ralph M Bolman, and Marcelo C Dasilva
September 2011, Journal of cardiac surgery,
Jeffrey B Velotta, and Charles R Vasquez, and Ralph M Bolman, and Marcelo C Dasilva
July 2010, Clinical infectious diseases : an official publication of the Infectious Diseases Society of America,
Jeffrey B Velotta, and Charles R Vasquez, and Ralph M Bolman, and Marcelo C Dasilva
September 2013, CMAJ : Canadian Medical Association journal = journal de l'Association medicale canadienne,
Jeffrey B Velotta, and Charles R Vasquez, and Ralph M Bolman, and Marcelo C Dasilva
January 2019, Indian pacing and electrophysiology journal,
Jeffrey B Velotta, and Charles R Vasquez, and Ralph M Bolman, and Marcelo C Dasilva
March 2021, The Annals of thoracic surgery,
Jeffrey B Velotta, and Charles R Vasquez, and Ralph M Bolman, and Marcelo C Dasilva
March 2018, Pacing and clinical electrophysiology : PACE,
Jeffrey B Velotta, and Charles R Vasquez, and Ralph M Bolman, and Marcelo C Dasilva
June 2007, Journal of cardiovascular electrophysiology,
Copied contents to your clipboard!