Abstract Background Pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) for atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation carries a risk of esophageal thermal injury (ETI), which can lead to severe complications. Objective To evaluate three luminal esophageal temperature (LET) monitoring strategies and assess their effectiveness in reducing the incidence of ETI. Methods Patients with AF were randomized into three PVI groups according to the temperature monitoring strategy: no LET monitoring (Group 1), LET monitoring with a single-sensor probe (SSP) thermometer (Group 2), and LET monitoring with […]

Abstract Background Atrial-esophageal fistula following AF ablation remains a concern. There is no standardized approach to minimize its risk and morbidity. Objective To present the seven-year experience of a systematic endoscopic surveillance of esophageal injury after AF catheter ablation. Methods This is a retrospective single center registry of systematic endoscopic evaluation after AF ablation in consecutive procedures performed from 2016 to 2022. A p-value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results 823 AF ablation with controlled esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) were analyzed. […]