Severe esophageal burn after transesophageal pacing

Table of Contents

A 13-year-old girl with tachycardia and a 3-week history of fatigue and headaches was admitted with suspected myocarditis. Echocardiography showed a dilated left ventricle with a shortening fraction of 12 %. Electrocardiography revealed ectopic atrial tachycardia, with a heart rate of 200 beats per minute. Cardioversion was performed to terminate the tachycardia, but this was unsuccessful. Intravenous amiodarone was started, but within hours the girl had deteriorated. Verapamil and beta blockers were not suitable because of their negative inotropic effects, and so a transesophageal electrode catheter was placed under fluoroscopic guidance. Rapid atrial pacing (320/minute, 20 mA) resulted in atrioventricular block and the ventricular rate fell to 160 beats per minte. The amiodarone treatment was continued and sinus rhythm was achieved after 18 hours, when atrial pacing was stopped.

Esophagogastroduodenoscopy was performed 6 hours after the transesophageal pacing was stopped: areas of deep tissue necrosis, reaching into stomach, were found in the distal anterior and posterior esophageal wall ([Fig. 1]). Less severe but circumferential burns affecting the superficial mucosa were found in the entire distal part of the esophagus. Antibiotic therapy and a 2-week course of prednisolone were initiated. The girl recovered over the following weeks and was able to swallow clear liquids and then solids without difficulty. Six weeks later, esophagogastroduodenoscopy showed no esophageal strictures, revealing only well-healed, scarred lesions, without narrowing of the lumen ([Fig. 2]). Her myocardial function had completely normalized.

Fig. 1 Endoscopic views of the tissue necrosis in the esophagus (a), reaching down into the cardia (b), 6 hours after pacing.

Fig. 2 Endoscopic views of the esophageal lesions (a) and the cardial lesions (b), 6 weeks after the initial pacing-related electrical burn.

The distal esophagus lies in direct contact with the left atrium and it is therefore used for transesophageal pacing in severe arrhythmias. In adult studies only minimal esophageal injury was reported in a couple of patients after short-term stimulation [1]. In animal studies, transesophageal pacing of 30-minute duration, 2 msec, and 75 - 100 mA produced minor lesions, but longer pacing times may cause lesions at currents of less than 40 mA [2].

Transesophageal pacing can be a life-saving procedure but it has to be kept in mind that prolonged stimulation carries a risk of significant esophageal injury, and follow-up endoscopy should be considered.

Endoscopy_UCTN_Code_CPL_1AH_2AK

References

• 1 Santini M, Pandozi C, Colivicchi F. et al . Transesophageal low-energy cardioversion of atrial fibrillation: results with the oesophageal-right atrial lead configuration.  Eur Heart J. 2000;  21 848-855
• 2 Arzbaecher R, Jenkins J M. A review of the theoretical and experimental bases of transesophageal atrial pacing.  J Electrocardiol. 2002;  35 (Suppl) 137-141