Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39669825›Full record

ArticleCureus2024

A Case of Pneumocephalus Due to an Untreated Atrial-Esophageal Fistula Post-Left Atrial Ablation Therapy.

Emman Fatima, Ian Hill, Sahar Fatima, Mehmet H Akay, Iqbal Ratnani

Abstract readCase Reports
In one paragraph

Article in Cureus, 2024. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

5 authors.

Emman FatimaCritical Care Medicine, Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, USA.
Ian HillCritical Care Medicine, Creighton University School of Medicine, Omaha, USA.
Sahar FatimaCritical Care Medicine, Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, USA.
Mehmet H AkayCardiothoracic Surgery, Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, USA.
Iqbal RatnaniCritical Care Medicine, Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, USA.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Air embolisms can be caused by trauma, barotrauma, or due to surgical procedures in neurosurgery, vascular surgery, and cardiac surgery. An atrial-esophageal fistula (AEF) is a life-threatening complication that can occur following left atrial ablation therapy, which is used to treat refractory atrial fibrillation (Afib). AEF, if left untreated, can lead to serious neurological complications such as pneumocephalus. We present a rare case of pneumocephalus in a 60-year-old male who recently underwent left atrial ablation therapy after which he presented to the ER following a fall. On examination, the patient was confused and had difficulty getting up. A left hemiparesis and a rightward gaze preference were also observed. The CT scan of the head confirmed pneumocephalus. Our report is unique as it explores a very rare entity and highlights the implications of a delay in the treatment of AEF. Early surgical intervention is the key to ensuring the survival of patients with an AEF.

Indexed as

atrial fibrillation managementcritical cardiovascular incidentsleft atrial ablationleft atrial ablation atrioesophageal fistulaneurological complication

Identifiers

PMID39669825
PMCPMC11636948

What OpenQuestion holds

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.