[A case of coronary arterial fistula originating from both coronary artery and draining to the right atrium]

Jpn J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg. 1998 Dec;46(12):1349-53. doi: 10.1007/BF03217928.
[Article in Japanese]

Abstract

We encountered a case with bilateral fistulas of coronary arteries into the right atrium, a rare cardiac anomaly. The case was a 17-year-old woman, who visited our hospital at the age of 11 because of fever. At that time, the patient was diagnosed as having a left coronary artery-right atrial fistula through cardiac catheterization (CAG). When the patient developed staphylococcus infected endocarditis at the age of 16, a thick fistula of the coronary artery, directly running from the deformed left coronary arterial sinus, a fistula of the left circumflex branch, and also a fistula of the right coronary artery into the right atrium were detected by CAG. The outlets of these fistulas were closed from the inside of the right atrium under artificial cardiopulmonary circulation and cardiac arrest, and each fistula was ligated at the outside of cardiac chambers. At that time, we took particular care that any branch of the sinuatrial node was not injured. Although all fistulas were confirmed to be closed by postoperative CAG, and no evidence of ischemia was detected by myocardial scintigraphy, deformity of the left coronary arterial sinus remained, requiring further follow up.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Coronary Vessel Anomalies* / surgery
  • Female
  • Fistula / congenital*
  • Fistula / surgery
  • Heart Atria / abnormalities*
  • Humans
  • Vascular Fistula / congenital*
  • Vascular Fistula / surgery