Feasibility and safety of using an esophageal protective system to eliminate esophageal thermal injury: implications on atrial-esophageal fistula following AF ablation.

Background: Ablation for atrial fibrillation (AF) requires energy delivery in close proximity to the esophagus (Eso) which has accounted for the LA-Eso fistula, a rare but life-threatening complication.

Purpose: We evaluated an Eso cooling system to protect the Eso during RF ablation.

Methods And Results: An "in vitro" heart-Eso preparation was initially used to test a temperature-controlled fluid-circulating system (EPSac [esophageal protective system]-RossHart Technologies Inc.