The Fatal Link: Atrial-Esophageal Fistula after Atrial Fibrillation Catheter Ablation

Catheter ablation, a cornerstone in the management of symptomatic atrial fibrillation (AF), has been shown to be successful in rhythm control in most patients. It is, however, not without the risk of serious complications, including atrial-esophageal fistula (AEF). This article reports the case of a 64-year-old man whose AF catheter ablation course was complicated by AEF, leading to a fatal outcome. This unfortunate outcome serves to highlight the importance of early diagnosis and treatment of AEF. Clinicians should also be cognizant of AEF risk factors. They should be capable of recognizing the clinical presentation of AEF signs and symptoms so that diagnosis and treatment can be made in a timely manner. After diagnosis, surgery is the preferred treatment, which has been shown to improve outcomes and reduce mortality.