The invention involves a system and method for an esophageal cooling system suitable for use during surgical procedures associated with the left atrium of the heart and most particularly ablation procedures associated with atrial fibrillation. The esophageal cooling system is suitable for use irrespective of whether the ablation procedure is intraoperative or catheter based. The system includes an esophageal catheter constructed and arranged to fit within the patients esophagus. Suitably located along the esophageal catheter is a phoximal balloon for occluding an upper portion of the esophagus. The phoximal balloon includes a coolant lumen for transferring temperature controlled liquid to the area where the esophagus may be in contact with the atrium of the heart. The liquid is expelled through a nozzle which directs the liquid to the inner surface of the esophagus. A suction lumen also extends through the phoximal balloon to evacuate the used coolant from the lower portion of the esophagus or gastrum of the patient.
