Gastrointestinal complications associated with catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation.

Abstract

Atrial fibrillation is the most common arrhythmia in the United States. With the ageing population, the incidence and prevalence of atrial fibrillation are on the rise. Catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation is a widely accepted treatment modality in patients with drug refractory symptomatic paroxysmal or persistent atrial fibrillation. The close proximity to the left atrium posterior wall makes the thermosensitive esophagus a potential site of injury during catheter ablation of AF leading to various gastrointestinal complications. The major gastrointestinal complications associated with catheter ablation include atrioesophageal fistula, gastroparesis, esophageal thermal lesions and esophageal ulcers. Multiple studies, case reports and series have described these complications with various catheter ablation techniques such as radiofrequency, cryoenergy and high frequency focused ultrasound energy ablation. This review addresses the gastrointestinal complications after AF ablation procedures and aims to provide the clinicians with an overview of clinical presentation, etiology, pathogenesis, prevention and management of these conditions.

• Authors: Lohit Garg, Jalaj Garg, Nancy Gupta, Neeraj Shah, Parasuram Krishnamoorthy, Chandrasekar Palaniswamy, Babak Bozorgnia, Andrea Natale
• Journal: International journal of cardiology (Int J Cardiol) Vol. 224 Pg. 424-430 (Dec 01 2016) ISSN: 1874-1754 [Electronic] Netherlands
• PMID: 27690340 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Review)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Topics

• Atrial Fibrillation (surgery)
• Catheter Ablation (adverse effects, methods)
• Esophagus (injuries)
• Gastrointestinal Diseases (diagnosis, etiology, physiopathology, prevention & control)
• Hot Temperature (adverse effects)
• Humans