Introduction
Catheter ablation is an important and widely used strategy to treat atrial fibrillation (AF). Given the proximity of the esophagus to the left atrium, less than 5mm in autopsy studies1, delivery of ablation energy can radiate from the catheter resulting in esophageal injury/ulcerations and, the most serious complication, atrio-esophageal fistula (AEF). The purpose of this manuscript is to review esophageal injury related to ablation energy and the techniques used to protect the esophagus.