Fatal myocardial infarction following pulmonary vein isolation due to atrioesophageal fistula: Case report

Conny Hartmann; Joelle Tschui; Kristina Bauer; Jeremias Klaus; Wolf-Dieter Zech; Christian Jackowski; Nicolas Lange-Herr

Forensic Science International: Reports (Jul 2024)

Fatal myocardial infarction following pulmonary vein isolation due to atrioesophageal fistula: Case report

Conny Hartmann,
Joelle Tschui,
Kristina Bauer,
Jeremias Klaus,
Wolf-Dieter Zech,
Christian Jackowski,
Nicolas Lange-Herr

Affiliations

Conny Hartmann: Department of Forensic Medicine, Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Bern, Switzerland; Correspondence to: Assistenzärztin Forensische Medizin, Institut für Rechtsmedizin, Murtenstrasse 26, Bern 3008, Switzerland.
Joelle Tschui: Department of Forensic Medicine, Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Bern, Switzerland; Medics Pathologie, Bern, Switzerland
Kristina Bauer: Department of Forensic Medicine, Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Bern, Switzerland
Jeremias Klaus: Department of Forensic Medicine, Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Bern, Switzerland; Department of Diagnostic, Interventional and Pediatric Radiology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Switzerland; Dr. Kurz Röntgeninstitut AG, Thun, Switzerland
Wolf-Dieter Zech: Department of Forensic Medicine, Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Bern, Switzerland
Christian Jackowski: Department of Forensic Medicine, Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Bern, Switzerland
Nicolas Lange-Herr: Department of Forensic Medicine, Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Bern, Switzerland

Journal volume & issue: Vol. 9
p. 100364

Abstract

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This case report describes the death of a 73-year-old man who suffered a fatal myocardial infarction following pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) for the treatment of atrial fibrillation. Post-mortem examination and imaging revealed the presence of an atrioesophageal fistula (AEF) leading to gas embolism at various sites of the heart including the right coronary artery. Atrioesophageal fistulas are rare complications of pulmonary vein isolation with high mortality rates.

Published in Forensic Science International: Reports

ISSN: 2665-9107 (Online)
Publisher: Elsevier
Country of publisher: Netherlands
LCC subjects: Law: Law in general. Comparative and uniform law. Jurisprudence: Comparative law. International uniform law: Criminal law and procedure
Website: https://www.journals.elsevier.com/forensic-science-international-reports

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