Rapid detection and successful treatment of esophageal perforation after radiofrequency ablation of atrial...

The aim of the study was to identify criteria for rapid recognition and successful treatment of esophageal perforation after radiofrequency ablation for atrial fibrillation (AF).

Esophageal perforation occurred in five patients after intraoperative (n = 4) or percutaneous (n = 1) AF ablation. Patients presented with high fever (n = 3) or severe chest/epigastric pain (n = 2) 8-28 days after ablation. WBC count was elevated at presentation in all patients (15,460 +/- 2,910/muL), CRP showed a delayed rise. Thoracic CT detected free air in all. Neurologic complications occurred in three cases (60%) with a delay of 5-40 hours after first symptoms. Only one (20%) developed neurologic complications within the first 24 hours. Two patients (40%) died before surgery could be performed. In both, time from symptom onset to diagnosis was significant (24 and 36 hours). Three patients (60%) underwent esophageal resection and survived. In two of them, treatment was rapid with time from symptoms to surgery of 24 hours; they had favorable outcome. In the third surviving patient, surgery was late (5 days after first symptoms); permanent neurologic residues remained.

The leading symptom of esophageal perforation is high fever or severe chest/epigastric pain. Fever is not necessarily present. Leukocytosis is the earliest and most sensitive laboratory marker, thoracic CT the most valuable diagnostic examination. The dramatic neurologic complications occur with a delay of at least a few hours after first symptoms. Immediate surgery may prevent neurologic complications and could possibly result in a high survival rate without residues. Delay of treatment seems to have devastating results.