Left Atrial–Esophageal Fistula Following Radiofrequency Catheter Ablation of Atrial Fibrillation

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°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. (J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol, Vol. 15, pp. 960‐962, August 2004)