{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,9,12]],"date-time":"2026-09-12T19:28:37Z","timestamp":1789241317787,"version":"build-2803163510"},"reference-count":42,"publisher":"MDPI AG","issue":"5","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2023,4,28]],"date-time":"2023-04-28T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1682640000000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"funder":[{"DOI":"10.13039\/501100006472","name":"University of Medicine and Pharmacy Grigore T. Popa","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","award":["POSDRU\/159\/1.5\/S\/133377 (CHRONEX)"],"award-info":[{"award-number":["POSDRU\/159\/1.5\/S\/133377 (CHRONEX)"]}],"id":[{"id":"10.13039\/501100006472","id-type":"DOI","asserted-by":"publisher"}]}],"content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["Life"],"abstract":"<jats:p>Patients undergoing ablation for atrial fibrillation may be at increased risk of developing gastroesophageal reflux disease. We prospectively studied the presence of symptomatic gastroesophageal reflux disease in na\u00efve patients who underwent atrial fibrillation ablation. Methods: The presence of typical symptoms suggestive of gastroesophageal reflux disease was clinically assessed by the gastroenterologist at baseline and at 3 months after ablation. In addition to that, all patients underwent upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. Results: Seventy-five patients were included in two groups: 46 patients who underwent atrial fibrillation ablation (study group) and 29 patients without ablation (control group). Patients with atrial fibrillation ablation were younger (57.76 \u00b1 7.66 years versus 67.81 \u00b1 8.52 years; p = 0.001), predominantly male (62.2% versus 33.3%; p = 0.030) and with higher body mass index (28.96 \u00b1 3.12 kg\/m2 versus 26.81 \u00b1 5.19 kg\/m2; p = 0.046). At three months after the ablation, in the study and control groups, there were 88.9% and 57.1% patients in sinus rhythm, respectively, (p = 0.009). Symptomatic gastroesophageal reflux disease was not more frequent in the study group (42.2% versus 61.9%; p = 0.220). There was no difference in terms of sinus rhythm prevalence in patients with versus without symptomatic gastroesophageal reflux disease (89.5% versus 88.5%; p = 0.709). Conclusion: In this small prospective study, typical symptoms suggestive of gastroesophageal reflux disease were not more frequent three months following atrial fibrillation ablation.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.3390\/life13051107","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2023,4,28]],"date-time":"2023-04-28T09:54:53Z","timestamp":1682675693000},"page":"1107","update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/mdpi_crossmark_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":3,"title":["Gastro-Esophageal Reflux Disease and Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation Ablation"],"prefix":"10.3390","volume":"13","author":[{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-9465-1503","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Mariana","family":"Floria","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Internal Medicine, Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Ia\u0219i, Romania"},{"name":"Internal Medicine Clinic, Saint Spiridon Emergency Hospital, 700115 Ia\u0219i, Romania"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Diana-Elena","family":"Iov","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Internal Medicine, Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Ia\u0219i, Romania"},{"name":"Institute of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, 700115 Iasi, Romania"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Daniela Maria","family":"Tanase","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Internal Medicine, Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Ia\u0219i, Romania"},{"name":"Internal Medicine Clinic, Saint Spiridon Emergency Hospital, 700115 Ia\u0219i, Romania"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Oana Bogdana","family":"Barboi","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Internal Medicine, Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Ia\u0219i, Romania"},{"name":"Internal Medicine Clinic, Saint Spiridon Emergency Hospital, 700115 Ia\u0219i, Romania"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Genoveva Livia","family":"Baroi","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Internal Medicine, Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Ia\u0219i, Romania"},{"name":"Department of Vascular Surgery, Saint Spiridon Emergency Hospital, 700115 Ia\u0219i, Romania"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-3424-1588","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Alexandru","family":"Burlacu","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Internal Medicine, Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Ia\u0219i, Romania"},{"name":"Cardiology Department, Cardiovascular Disease Institute, 700503 Ia\u0219i, Romania"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Mihaela","family":"Grecu","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Internal Medicine, Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Ia\u0219i, Romania"},{"name":"Cardiology Department, Cardiovascular Disease Institute, 700503 Ia\u0219i, Romania"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Radu Andy","family":"Sascau","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Internal Medicine, Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Ia\u0219i, Romania"},{"name":"Cardiology Department, Cardiovascular Disease Institute, 700503 Ia\u0219i, Romania"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0001-6439-4561","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Cristian","family":"Statescu","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Internal Medicine, Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Ia\u0219i, Romania"},{"name":"Cardiology Department, Cardiovascular Disease Institute, 700503 Ia\u0219i, Romania"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Catalina","family":"Mihai","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Internal Medicine, Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Ia\u0219i, Romania"},{"name":"Institute of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, 700115 Iasi, Romania"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Vasile Liviu","family":"Drug","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Internal Medicine, Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Ia\u0219i, Romania"},{"name":"Institute of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, 700115 Iasi, Romania"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"1968","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2023,4,28]]},"reference":[{"key":"ref_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"e56","DOI":"10.1161\/CIR.0000000000000659","article-title":"Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics-2019 Update: A Report From the American Heart Association","volume":"139","author":"Benjamin","year":"2019","journal-title":"Circulation"},{"key":"ref_2","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"373","DOI":"10.1093\/eurheartj\/ehaa612","article-title":"2020 ESC Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Management of Atrial Fibrillation Developed in Collaboration with the European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery (EACTS)","volume":"42","author":"Hindricks","year":"2021","journal-title":"Eur. Heart J."},{"key":"ref_3","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"e125","DOI":"10.1161\/CIR.0000000000000665","article-title":"2019 AHA\/ACC\/HRS Focused Update of the 2014 AHA\/ACC\/HRS Guideline for the Management of Patients With Atrial Fibrillation: A Report of the American College of Cardiology\/American Heart Association Task Force on Clinical Practice Guidelines and the Heart R","volume":"140","author":"January","year":"2019","journal-title":"Circulation"},{"key":"ref_4","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"27","DOI":"10.47102\/annals-acadmedsg.2022326","article-title":"Ablation Therapies for Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation: A Systematic Review and Patient-Level Network Meta-Analysis","volume":"52","author":"Fong","year":"2023","journal-title":"Ann. Acad. Med. Singap."},{"key":"ref_5","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"2751","DOI":"10.1038\/s41598-020-59539-6","article-title":"Characteristics of Atrial Fibrillation Patients Suffering Esophageal Injury Caused by Ablation for Atrial Fibrillation","volume":"10","author":"Zhang","year":"2020","journal-title":"Sci. Rep."},{"key":"ref_6","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"80","DOI":"10.1093\/europace\/euy121","article-title":"Prevalence and Prevention of Oesophageal Injury during Atrial Fibrillation Ablation: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis","volume":"21","author":"Ha","year":"2019","journal-title":"Europace"},{"key":"ref_7","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"43","DOI":"10.1002\/joa3.12125","article-title":"Association of Atrial Fibrillation and Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease: Natural and Therapeutic Linkage of the Two Common Diseases","volume":"35","author":"Maruyama","year":"2019","journal-title":"J. Arrhythm."},{"key":"ref_8","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1457","DOI":"10.1016\/j.hrthm.2009.06.022","article-title":"Acute Development of Gastroesophageal Reflux after Radiofrequency Catheter Ablation of Atrial Fibrillation","volume":"6","author":"Martinek","year":"2009","journal-title":"Heart Rhythm"},{"key":"ref_9","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1247","DOI":"10.1161\/CIRCULATIONAHA.117.025827","article-title":"Esophageal Injury and Atrioesophageal Fistula Caused by Ablation for Atrial Fibrillation","volume":"136","author":"Kapur","year":"2017","journal-title":"Circulation"},{"key":"ref_10","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1730","DOI":"10.1007\/s00380-021-01860-9","article-title":"Impact of Proton Pump Inhibitors on Mortality and Severe Esophageal Injury after Catheter Ablation for Atrial Fibrillation: A Nationwide Retrospective Study Using Propensity Score Matching","volume":"36","author":"Ugata","year":"2021","journal-title":"Heart Vessels"},{"key":"ref_11","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"4728","DOI":"10.1038\/s41598-021-83928-0","article-title":"Pre-Procedural Proton Pump Inhibition Is Associated with Fewer Peri-Oesophageal Lesions after Cryoballoon Pulmonary Vein Isolation","volume":"11","author":"Cordes","year":"2021","journal-title":"Sci. Rep."},{"key":"ref_12","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"874","DOI":"10.17235\/reed.2019.5389\/2017","article-title":"Association between Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease and Atrial Fibrillation: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis","volume":"111","author":"Xu","year":"2019","journal-title":"Rev. Esp. Enferm. Dig."},{"key":"ref_13","first-page":"2071","article-title":"2014 AHA\/ACC\/HRS Guideline for the Management of Patients with Atrial Fibrillation: Executive Summary: A Report of the American College of Cardiology\/American Heart Association Task Force on Practice Guidelines and the Heart Rhythm Society","volume":"130","author":"January","year":"2014","journal-title":"J. Am. Coll. Cardiol."},{"key":"ref_14","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"528","DOI":"10.1093\/europace\/eus027","article-title":"2012 HRS\/EHRA\/ECAS Expert Consensus Statement on Catheter and Surgical Ablation of Atrial Fibrillation: Recommendations for Patient Selection, Procedural Techniques, Patient Management and Follow-up, Definitions, Endpoints, and Research Trial Design","volume":"14","author":"Calkins","year":"2012","journal-title":"Europace"},{"key":"ref_15","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1900","DOI":"10.1111\/j.1572-0241.2006.00630.x","article-title":"The Montreal Definition and Classification of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease: A Global Evidence-Based Consensus","volume":"101","author":"Vakil","year":"2006","journal-title":"Am. J. Gastroenterol."},{"key":"ref_16","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"172","DOI":"10.1136\/gut.45.2.172","article-title":"Endoscopic Assessment of Oesophagitis: Clinical and Functional Correlates and Further Validation of the Los Angeles Classification","volume":"45","author":"Lundell","year":"1999","journal-title":"Gut"},{"key":"ref_17","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"412","DOI":"10.1093\/ehjci\/jew041","article-title":"Recommendations for Cardiac Chamber Quantification by Echocardiography in Adults: An Update from the American Society of Echocardiography and the European Association of, Cardiovascular Imaging","volume":"17","author":"Lang","year":"2016","journal-title":"Eur. Hear. J. Cardiovasc. Imaging"},{"key":"ref_18","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"3154","DOI":"10.3748\/wjg.v21.i10.3154","article-title":"Atrial Fibrillation and Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease: From the Cardiologist Perspective","volume":"21","author":"Floria","year":"2015","journal-title":"World J. Gastroenterol."},{"key":"ref_19","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"259","DOI":"10.1007\/s10840-013-9807-5","article-title":"Atrial Fibrillation Ablation in Patients with Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease or Irritable Bowel Syndrome\u2014The Heart to Gut Connection!","volume":"37","author":"Reddy","year":"2013","journal-title":"J. Interv. Card. Electrophysiol."},{"key":"ref_20","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"612","DOI":"10.5056\/jnm15034","article-title":"A New Complication Due to Vagal Nerve","volume":"21","author":"Tolone","year":"2015","journal-title":"J. Neurogastroenterol. Motil."},{"key":"ref_21","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"88","DOI":"10.5152\/tjg.2017.16540","article-title":"Atrial Fibrillation and Sympathovagal Balance in Patients with Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease","volume":"28","author":"Floria","year":"2017","journal-title":"Turk. J. Gastroenterol."},{"key":"ref_22","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"574","DOI":"10.1016\/j.hrthm.2014.01.010","article-title":"Incidental and Ablation-Induced Findings during Upper Gastrointestinal Endoscopy in Patients after Ablation of Atrial Fibrillation: A Retrospective Study of 425 Patients","volume":"11","author":"Knopp","year":"2014","journal-title":"Heart Rhythm"},{"key":"ref_23","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"155","DOI":"10.1161\/CIRCEP.109.915918","article-title":"Damage to the Esophagus after Atrial Fibrillation Ablation: Just the Tip of the Iceberg? High Prevalence of Mediastinal Changes Diagnosed by Endosonography","volume":"3","author":"Zellerhoff","year":"2010","journal-title":"Circ. Arrhythm. Electrophysiol."},{"key":"ref_24","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"205","DOI":"10.1093\/europace\/eun001","article-title":"Incidence of Oesophageal Wall Injury Post-Pulmonary Vein Antrum Isolation for Treatment of Patients with Atrial Fibrillation","volume":"10","author":"Schmidt","year":"2008","journal-title":"EP Europace"},{"key":"ref_25","first-page":"252","article-title":"Periesophageal Vagal Nerve Injury Following Catheter Ablation of Atrial Fibrillation: A Case Report and Review of the Literature","volume":"1","author":"Saha","year":"2015","journal-title":"Hear. Case Rep."},{"key":"ref_26","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"531","DOI":"10.51821\/85.3.9112","article-title":"Gastric Distension and Gastroparesis Following Pulmonary Vein Isolation for Atrial Fibrillation: A Case Report and Review of the Literature","volume":"85","author":"Nullens","year":"2022","journal-title":"Acta Gastroenterol. Belg."},{"key":"ref_27","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"583","DOI":"10.1111\/jce.15820","article-title":"Pulmonary Vein Isolation-Induced Vagal Nerve Injury and Gastric Motility Disorders Detected by Electrogastrography: The Side Effects of Pulmonary Vein Isolation in Atrial Fibrillation (SEPIA) Study","volume":"34","author":"Freund","year":"2023","journal-title":"J. Cardiovasc. Electrophysiol."},{"key":"ref_28","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1354","DOI":"10.1136\/gut.2007.145177","article-title":"Gastro-Oesophageal Reflux Symptoms, Oesophagitis and Barrett\u2019s Oesophagus in the General Population: The Loiano\u2013Monghidoro Study","volume":"57","author":"Zagari","year":"2008","journal-title":"Gut"},{"key":"ref_29","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1825","DOI":"10.1053\/j.gastro.2005.08.053","article-title":"Prevalence of Barrett\u2019s Esophagus in the General Population: An Endoscopic Study","volume":"129","author":"Ronkainen","year":"2005","journal-title":"Gastroenterology"},{"key":"ref_30","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1351","DOI":"10.1136\/gutjnl-2017-314722","article-title":"Modern Diagnosis of GERD: The Lyon Consensus","volume":"67","author":"Gyawali","year":"2018","journal-title":"Gut"},{"key":"ref_31","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"e275","DOI":"10.1016\/j.hrthm.2017.05.012","article-title":"2017 HRS\/EHRA\/ECAS\/APHRS\/SOLAECE Expert Consensus Statement on Catheter and Surgical Ablation of Atrial Fibrillation","volume":"14","author":"Calkins","year":"2017","journal-title":"Heart Rhythm"},{"key":"ref_32","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"S228","DOI":"10.1111\/j.1540-8159.2008.02292.x","article-title":"Esophageal Acid Levels after Pulmonary Vein Isolation for Atrial Fibrillation","volume":"32","author":"Ritscher","year":"2009","journal-title":"Pacing Clin. Electrophysiol."},{"key":"ref_33","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1452","DOI":"10.4022\/jafib.1452","article-title":"Esophageal Temperature Monitoring During Radiofrequency Ablation of Atrial Fibrillation: A Meta-Analysis","volume":"9","author":"Koranne","year":"2016","journal-title":"J. Atr. Fibrillation"},{"key":"ref_34","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"35","DOI":"10.1007\/s10840-011-9655-0","article-title":"Prevention of Esophageal Thermal Injury during Radiofrequency Ablation for Atrial Fibrillation","volume":"35","author":"Liu","year":"2012","journal-title":"J. Interv. Card. Electrophysiol."},{"key":"ref_35","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1","DOI":"10.1097\/HCO.0b013e328341387d","article-title":"Prevention of Atrial-Esophageal Fistula after Catheter Ablation of Atrial Fibrillation","volume":"26","author":"Dagres","year":"2011","journal-title":"Curr. Opin. Cardiol."},{"key":"ref_36","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1588","DOI":"10.1161\/CIRCULATIONAHA.117.028981","article-title":"Sex Differences and Similarities in Atrial Fibrillation Epidemiology, Risk Factors, and Mortality in Community Cohorts: Results From the BiomarCaRE Consortium (Biomarker for Cardiovascular Risk Assessment in Europe)","volume":"136","author":"Magnussen","year":"2017","journal-title":"Circulation"},{"key":"ref_37","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"191","DOI":"10.1093\/europace\/euv386","article-title":"Regional Differences in Referral, Procedures, and Outcome after Ablation for Atrial Fibrillation in Europe: A Report from the Atrial Fibrillation Ablation Pilot Registry of the European Society of Cardiology","volume":"18","author":"Riahi","year":"2016","journal-title":"EP Europace"},{"key":"ref_38","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"840","DOI":"10.1001\/jama.1994.03510350050036","article-title":"Independent Risk Factors for Atrial Fibrillation in a Population-Based Cohort. The Framingham Heart Study","volume":"271","author":"Benjamin","year":"1994","journal-title":"JAMA"},{"key":"ref_39","first-page":"e28637","article-title":"Role of Non-Pharmacological Interventions and Weight Loss in the Management of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease in Obese Individuals: A Systematic Review","volume":"14","author":"Mukhtar","year":"2022","journal-title":"Cureus"},{"key":"ref_40","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"442","DOI":"10.1111\/j.1365-2036.2010.04542.x","article-title":"Systematic Review: Ageing and Gastro-Oesophageal Reflux Disease Symptoms, Oesophageal Function and Reflux Oesophagitis","volume":"33","author":"Becher","year":"2011","journal-title":"Aliment. Pharmacol. Ther."},{"key":"ref_41","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"211","DOI":"10.1016\/j.ijcard.2015.01.083","article-title":"Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease Is a Predictor of Atrial Fibrillation Recurrence Following Left Atrial Ablation","volume":"183","author":"Lioni","year":"2015","journal-title":"Int. J. Cardiol."},{"key":"ref_42","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1219","DOI":"10.1093\/europace\/eur139","article-title":"Prophylactic Proton Pump Inhibition after Atrial Fibrillation Ablation: Is There Any Evidence?","volume":"13","author":"Zellerhoff","year":"2011","journal-title":"EP Europace"}],"container-title":["Life"],"original-title":[],"language":"en","link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/www.mdpi.com\/2075-1729\/13\/5\/1107\/pdf","content-type":"unspecified","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2025,10,10]],"date-time":"2025-10-10T19:25:56Z","timestamp":1760124356000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/www.mdpi.com\/2075-1729\/13\/5\/1107"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2023,4,28]]},"references-count":42,"journal-issue":{"issue":"5","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2023,5]]}},"alternative-id":["life13051107"],"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/life13051107","relation":{},"ISSN":["2075-1729"],"issn-type":[{"value":"2075-1729","type":"electronic"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2023,4,28]]}}}