Roland Tilz, EHRA 2023: Oesophageal fistula formation following atrial fibrillation ablation

Oesophageal fistula formation is a very rare complication following atrial fibrillation ablation with a very high mortality rate. In this touchCARDIO interview, we speak with Professor Roland Tilz (University Heart Center Lübeck, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Lübeck, Germany) to discuss the unmet needs in this field of study.

Roland Tilz presented an abstract entitled ‘Oesophageal fistula formation in patients undergoing catheter ablation’ at the European Heart Rhythm Association congress, 16–18, April 2023.

Click here to view the video on the POTTER AF results.

Question:

Could you tell us a little about oesophageal fistula and the unmet needs in this patient population? (0:18)

Disclosures: Roland Tilz is a consultant for Biosense Webster, Biotronik and Boston Scientific, and has received speaker honoraria from Abbott Medical, Biosense Webster, Boston Scientific and Medtronic. 

Support: Interview and filming supported by Touch Medical Media. Interview conducted by Danielle Crosby.

Filmed as a highlight of EHRA 2023

Access more content on atrial fibrillation here

Transcript:

My name is Professor Roland Tilz. I’m the director of the Department of Rhythmology at the University Hospital in Lubeck, Germany.

Q. Could you tell us a little about oesophageal fistula and the unmet needs in this patient population?

So oesophageal fistula formation is a very rare complication following atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation. However, the mortality rate is very high. Data about the incidence, the management and the outcome is sparse. So far, the largest publication enrolled less than 40 patients with oesophageal fistula formation

Subtitles and transcript are autogenerated