Time Course of Esophageal Lesions After Catheter Ablation with Cryothermal and Radiofrequency Ablation: Implication for Atrio‐Esophageal Fistula Formation After Catheter Ablation for Atrial Fibrillation

Abstract

Direct application of cryoablation and RF ablation created similar acute and chronic lesion dimensions on the esophagus. However, cryoablation was associated with a significantly lower risk of esophageal ulceration, compared with RF ablation.

Esophageal Injury and Temperature Monitoring During Atrial Fibrillation Ablation

“…22 However, the effectiveness of these approaches on minimizing esophageal injury has not been thoroughly studied.…”

Profuse and acute hemorrhagic gastroesophageal injury after cryotherapy in a cardiac surgery patient

“…Esophageal injury often occurs with a delay and occurs most frequently on the fourth day after cryoablation (8). The delayed occurrence of esophageal injury may be explained by the same mechanism by which the cryothermal energy affects conduction tissue.…”

Periesophageal vagal nerve injury following catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation: A case report and review of the literature

“…Cryoablation and RF ablation created similar acute and chronic lesion dimensions in the esophagus, but cryoablation was associated with a significantly lower risk of partial- to full-wall esophageal ulceration seen by histology compared with RF ablation 17 . Ahmed and colleagues 18 noted a 17% incidence of esophageal ulceration following balloon cryoablation for PVI, 18 but studies comparing the effects of cryoablation vs RF ablation on the development of periesophageal vagal nerve injury are currently lacking.…”