ABSTRACT
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Hemodynamic compromise and formation of thrombi within the fibrillating atrium or atrial appendage can occur. Surgical treatment aims to eliminate dysrhythmia-triggering foci in the pulmonary veins and posterior left atrium by radiofrequency ablation techniques using ohmic heat. As medical treatment may be ineffective, radiofrequency catheter ablation is increasingly being used by interventional cardiac electrophysiologists for AF. Serious complications have been observed among patients who have undergone radiofrequency ablation, atrioesophageal fistula being a very rare example. This case describes a 43-year-old man who died after the development of an atrioesophageal fistula following radiofrequency ablation of the left atrium and pulmonary veins for treatment of AF.
Subject(s)
Atrial Fibrillation/surgery , Catheter Ablation/adverse effects , Esophageal Fistula/etiology , Heart Atria , Heart Diseases/etiology , Adult , Esophageal Fistula/pathology , Fatal Outcome , Heart Atria/pathology , Heart Atria/surgery , Heart Diseases/pathology , Humans , Male , Pulmonary Veins/surgeryABSTRACT
PURPOSE: To describe a case of fat embolism syndrome (FES) following elective tendon contracture release in a patient with myotonic dystrophy, to highlight the importance of considering this entity in the differential diagnosis of acute postoperative neurocognitive dysfunction. CLINICAL FEATURES: A 34-yr-old man with myotonic dystrophy underwent uneventful tendon contracture release under regional anesthesia. In the immediate postoperative period, neurological and respiratory complications developed, requiring intensive care support. The patient showed the classical clinical triad of hypoxemia, neurological impairment and a petechial rash associated with the FES. A diagnosis of FES was made and, despite therapy including fluid and inotropic support, the patient succumbed to the condition. There was no demonstrated intracardiac shunt, suggesting a physiological intrapulmonary shunt was responsible for the development of systemic manifestations of FES. CONCLUSIONS: Postoperative neurological dysfunction is a difficult condition with numerous possible causes. All possible etiologies, including FES, need to be considered in the differential diagnosis and postoperative management of patients developing acute postoperative neurological impairment and hypoxemia.
