Introduction
Catheter ablation is an important and widely used strategy to treat
atrial fibrillation (AF). Given the proximity of the esophagus to the
left atrium, less than 5mm in autopsy studies1,
delivery of ablation energy can radiate from the catheter resulting in
esophageal injury/ulcerations and, the most serious complication,
atrio-esophageal fistula (AEF). The purpose of this manuscript is to
review esophageal injury related to ablation energy and the techniques
used to protect the esophagus.