Real‐Time Monitoring of Luminal Esophageal Temperature During Left Atrial Radiofrequency Catheter Ablation for Atrial Fibrillation: Observations About Esophageal Heating During Ablation at the Pulmonary Vein Ostia and Posterior Left Atrium

Abstract

Real-time monitoring of luminal esophageal position and temperature is feasible, enhances recognition of esophageal heating, and may add useful information beyond that provided by fluoroscopic assessment of esophageal position. There is a potential role for esophageal monitoring to help avoid thermal injury to the esophagus during catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation.

Ablação por radiofreqüência da fibrilação atrial paroxística: fatores determinantes da eficácia clínica a longo-prazo

“…The higher risk for its occurrence lies in the fact that high energy is delivered, mainly in the left posterior atrial wall. This complication led to the use of an intraesophageal thermometer 24 or to the oral administration of barium contrast, which permits the esophageal position to be delimited 25 , thus avoiding deliveries close to the esophagus.…”

Anesthetic Management in Radiofrequency Catheter Ablation of Ventricular Tachycardia

“…In patients under GA, an esophageal temperature probe can reveal increases in temperature and minimize the risk of esophageal injury. 26 After the intra-arterial and transseptal sheaths are inserted, anticoagulation is necessary to prevent thrombus formation (the reported prevalence of stroke during catheter ablation is 0.4% to 1%). 27 Typically, a 100-U/kg bolus of heparin is given before infusion, to target an activated clotting time between 300 and 400 s. 28 The heparin infusion can be discontinued after the catheters are removed from the LV (retrograde transaortic approach) and left atrium (antegrade transseptal approach).…”

Ablação por radiofreqüência da fibrilação atrial paroxística: fatores determinantes da eficácia clínica a longo prazo

“…O maior risco para a sua ocorrência encontrase no fato da realização de aplicações com alta energia, principalmente na parede posterior do átrio esquerdo. Tal complicação levou à utilização de termômetro intraesofágico 24 ou à administração oral de contraste baritato, o que permite demarcar a posição do esôfago 25 , evitando-se aplicações próximas a ele.…”