A Deadly Tunnel: A Case Report of Atrial-Esophageal Fistula after Atrial Fibrillation Ablation

Abstract

The left atrial-esophageal fistula is an exceedinglyrare but lethal iatrogenic complication after atrial fibrillation ablation. Variability in timing of clinical presentation may lead to delayed diagnosis of this fatal complication. It is crucial to have high clinical suspicion when patients present with new neurologic symptoms, chest discomfort or sepsis after ablation. This is a unique case of 78-year-old white man who presented with fever, hematemesis & confusion attributed to left atrial-esophageal fistula after ablation for medically refractory atrial fibrillation.

Bangladesh J Medicine 2023; 34(2): 160-162