Atrioesophageal Fistula After Cryoballoon Pulmonary Vein Isolation

• Published in: Journal of cardiovascular electrophysiology Vol. 23; no. 11; pp. 1254 - 1257
• Main Authors: STÖCKIGT, FLORIAN, SCHRICKEL, JAN W., ANDRIÉ, RENÉ, LICKFETT, LARS
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Malden, USA Blackwell Publishing Inc 01.11.2012; Wiley Subscription Services, Inc
• Subjects: ablation; Aged; atrial fibrillation; Atrial Fibrillation - diagnosis; Atrial Fibrillation - surgery; atrioesophageal fistula; Cardiac Catheters; cryoballoon; Cryosurgery - adverse effects; Cryosurgery - instrumentation; Electrophysiologic Techniques, Cardiac; Embolism, Air - etiology; Esophageal Fistula - diagnostic imaging; Esophageal Fistula - etiology; Esophageal Fistula - surgery; Fistula - diagnostic imaging; Fistula - etiology; Fistula - surgery; Heart Atria - diagnostic imaging; Heart Diseases - diagnostic imaging; Heart Diseases - etiology; Heart Diseases - surgery; Humans; Male; Medical procedures; Persistent Vegetative State - etiology; Pulmonary Veins - diagnostic imaging; Pulmonary Veins - surgery; Reoperation; Stroke - etiology; Time Factors; Tomography, X-Ray Computed; Treatment Outcome
• ISSN: 1045-3873; 1540-8167
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1540-8167.2012.02324.x

Atrioesophageal Fistula After Cryoballoon PV Isolation.  The risk of atrioesophageal fistula after cryoballoon pulmonary vein isolation is thought to be much lower than after radiofrequency ablation, seeing that no data exist on this complication so far. We report for the first time on the occurrence of an atrioesophageal fistula 4 weeks after cryoballoon ablation at the site of the left inferior pulmonary vein. We suggest that even when using cryothermal ablation technique, an imaging modality to assess the proximity of esophagus and left atrium should be routinely performed to avoid this fatal complication. (J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol, Vol. 23, pp. 1254–1257, November 2012)