Esophageal damage following left atrial ablation in a patient on dabigatran: adding insult to injury

Abstract

Dabigatran, a commonly prescribed anticoagulant medication, has been associated with esophagitis, referred to as dabigatran-induced esophagitis (DIE). We report a case of DIE occurring in a patient following left atrial ablation for atrial fibrillation. This case emphasizes the importance of recognizing the possible combined detrimental effects of left atrial ablation and dabigatran on the esophageal mucosa and highlights the clinical and endoscopic characteristics associated with DIE.

Keywords

• sloughing esophagitis
• left atrial ablation
• dabigatran-induced esophagitis