Atrio-oesophageal fistula after the cryomaze procedure

We report a case of an atrio-oesophageal fistula after biatrial cryomaze ablation for atrial fibrillation, a complication that has not yet been described in the literature for the cryomaze method. Our report also serves as a reminder of this rare but lethal complication- that it can occur after any method of ablation for atrial fibrillation and a high index of suspicion for its diagnosis must be maintained to allow for early surgical treatment which offers the best chance of survival.