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Updated: Jun 4, 2025

Catheter Ablation in Combination With Left Atrial Appendage Closure for Atrial Fibrillation
Published on: February 26, 2013
Pericardial-Esophageal Fistula After Combined Ablation and Left Atrial Appendage Occlusion Procedure for Atrial
Zhe-Ning Wang1, Tao Yao1, Yuan-Nan Lin1
1Department of Cardiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China.
Abstract:
Pericardial-esophageal fistula is a rare complication after radiofrequency ablation for atrial fibrillation. A 52-year-old man developed pneumopericardium, which was revealed by echocardiogram and computed tomography, after a combined ablation and left atrial appendage occlusion procedure for atrial fibrillation. He was diagnosed with a pericardial-esophageal fistula and underwent surgical pericardial and mediastinal drainage tube placement. However, the patient developed constrictive pericarditis 2 months after the first surgery and subsequently underwent pericardiolysis. A month after the second surgery, the patient's condition was significantly improved and he was allowed home.

