Anatomic Relations Between the Esophagus and Left Atrium and Relevance for Ablation of Atrial Fibrillation

Abstract

The nonuniform thickness of the posterior left atrial wall and the variable fibrofatty layer between the wall and the esophagus are risk factors that must be considered during ablation procedure. Esophageal arteries and vagus nerve plexus on the anterior surface of the esophagus may be affected by ablative procedures.