A worldwide survey on incidence, management and prognosis of oesophageal fistula formation following atrial fibrillation catheter ablation: The POTTER-AF study.

AIMS Oesophageal fistula represents a rare but dreadful complication of atrial fibrillation catheter ablation. Data on its incidence, management and outcome are sparse. METHODS AND RESULTS This international multicenter registry investigates the characteristics of oesophageal fistulae after treatment of atrial fibrillation by catheter ablation. A total of 553,729 catheter ablation procedures (radiofrequency: 62.9%, cryoballoon: 36.2%, other modalities: 0.9%) were performed at 214 centers in 35 countries. In 78 centers 138 patients (0.025%, radiofrequency: 0.038%, cryoballoon: 0.0015% (p<0.0001)) were diagnosed with an oesophageal fistula. Periprocedural data were available for 118 patients (85.5%). Following catheter ablation, the median time to symptoms and the median time to diagnosis were 18 (7.75, 25; range: 0-60) days and 21 (15, 29.5; range: 2-63) days, respectively. The median time from symptom onset to oesophageal fistula diagnosis was 3 (1, 9; range: 0-42) days. The most common initial symptom was fever (59.3%). The diagnosis was established by chest computed tomography in 80.2% of patients. Oesophageal surgery was performed in 47.4% and direct endoscopic treatment in 19.8%, and conservative treatment in 32.8% of patients. The overall mortality was 65.8%. Mortality following surgical (51.9%) or endoscopic treatment (56.5%) was significantly lower as compared to conservative management (89.5%) (odds ratio 7.463 (2.414, 23.072) p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS Oesophageal fistula after catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation is rare and occurs mostly with the use of radiofrequency energy rather than cryoenergy. Mortality without surgical or endoscopic intervention is exceedingly high

A worldwide survey on incidence, management and prognosis of oesophageal fistula formation following atrial fibrillation catheter ablation:The POTTER-AF study

AIMS: Oesophageal fistula represents a rare but dreadful complication of atrial fibrillation catheter ablation. Data on its incidence, management and outcome are sparse.METHODS AND RESULTS: This international multicenter registry investigates the characteristics of oesophageal fistulae after treatment of atrial fibrillation by catheter ablation. A total of 553,729 catheter ablation procedures (radiofrequency: 62.9%, cryoballoon: 36.2%, other modalities: 0.9%) were performed at 214 centers in 35 countries. In 78 centers 138 patients (0.025%, radiofrequency: 0.038%, cryoballoon: 0.0015% (p&lt;0.0001)) were diagnosed with an oesophageal fistula. Periprocedural data were available for 118 patients (85.5%). Following catheter ablation, the median time to symptoms and the median time to diagnosis were 18 (7.75, 25; range: 0-60) days and 21 (15, 29.5; range: 2-63) days, respectively. The median time from symptom onset to oesophageal fistula diagnosis was 3 (1, 9; range: 0-42) days. The most common initial symptom was fever (59.3%). The diagnosis was established by chest computed tomography in 80.2% of patients. Oesophageal surgery was performed in 47.4% and direct endoscopic treatment in 19.8%, and conservative treatment in 32.8% of patients. The overall mortality was 65.8%. Mortality following surgical (51.9%) or endoscopic treatment (56.5%) was significantly lower as compared to conservative management (89.5%) (odds ratio 7.463 (2.414, 23.072) p&lt;0.001).CONCLUSIONS: Oesophageal fistula after catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation is rare and occurs mostly with the use of radiofrequency energy rather than cryoenergy. Mortality without surgical or endoscopic intervention is exceedingly high.</p

How to use digital devices to detect and manage arrhythmias: an EHRA practical guide

International audienc

Erratum: How to use digital devices to detect and manage arrhythmias: an EHRA practical guide (EP Europace (2022) 24:6 (979-1005) DOI: 10.1093/europace/euac038)

In the originally published version of this manuscript, the names of authors Marcio Jansen de Oliveira Figueiredo and Manlio F. Márquez were incorrectly given. Both names have now been corrected online. In addition, the following affiliation was inadvertently omitted for author Manlio F. Márquez: Cardiology, Electrophysiology Service, American British Cowdray Medical Center, Mexico City, México This affiliation has now been added to the online version of the manuscript as affiliation 27 and all subsequent affiliations in this manuscript affected by this change have been updated accordingly

CyberArts 2002

This publication contains information on the winners of the Prix Ars Electronica for the 2002 Ars Electronica festival. The book's structure follows that of the event, which was divided into five categories: Net Vision and Net Excellence, Interactive Art, Computer Animation and Visual Effects, Digital Musics, and Cybergeneration. Includes texts by jury members introducing each category, and brief statements by selected artists. Biographical notes