Esophageal ulceration from high-intensity focused US catheter ablation for pulmonary vein isolation: a novel complication in the treatment of symptomatic refractory atrial fibrillation

摘要

Percutaneous catheter ablation of electrical triggers around the pulmonary vein ostia (ie, pulmonary vein isolation [PVI]) using radiofrequency current (RFC) is an increasingly popular treatment strategy for patients with symptomatic, drug-refractory paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF). Although very effective in treating PAF, RFC ablation may sometimes be complicated by unintended collateral thermal injury to the esophagus. High-intensity focused US (HIFUS) catheter ablation for PVI is a novel experimental technique being used to overcome the technical difficulties associated with RFC ablation and to potentially avoid collateral tissue damage.A novel case of esophageal ulcers from PVI with HIFUS ablation is currently reported along with the endoscopic findings#