Surgical repair of an esophageal perforation after radiofrequency catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation

Recent reports have described the incidence of atrioesophageal fistulas (AEF), often resulting in death, from radiofrequency (RF) catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation (AF).1 Cases of esophageal perforation without concomitant AEF have not been described as extensively.1 The precise mechanisms leading to esophageal injury after catheter ablation without involvement of the left atrium are not fully understood. The surgical approach to treat esophageal perforation is strongly recommended.2 However, a unified surgical treatment approach has not yet been established. We describe a case of successful surgical repair of an esophageal perforation after ablation using surgical repair in combination with an omental wrap.