Resisting Arrest: Perioperative Confirmation and Management of an Iatrogenic Aortocoronary Arteriovenous Fistula after Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting for Redo Cardiac Surgery

Although rare, iatrogenic aortocoronary arteriovenous fistulae (ACAVF) occur when a coronary graft is mistakenly anastomosed to an epicardial vein rather than its intended arterial target. Patients may be asymptomatic, demonstrate angina, dyspnea, arrhythmias, syncope, or diminished exercise capacity, and may have wide pulse pressures with evidence of coronary steal. A thorough insight into the disordered anatomy is critical to safely manage a patient for redo cardiac surgery, especially when attempting to arrest the heart. We present a case for redo cardiac surgery of an iatrogenic ACAVF confirmed perioperatively with multiple modalities and its intraoperative management.

Acute renal failure due to bilateral renal vein thromboses: A rare complication of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia

Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia type II is a rare but devastating complication of heparin exposure. We review a case of a 66-year-old female who underwent aortic valve surgery requiring venoarterial extracorporeal membranous oxygenation (ECMO) support postoperatively. She subsequently developed acute renal failure due to bilateral renal vein thromboses and thrombocytopenia and was found to have platelet factor 4/heparin antibodies and was diagnosed with heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT). She was transitioned to nonheparin anticoagulation and her thrombocytopenia improved. Although a rare complication of anticoagulation, diagnosing HIT in a patient on ECMO requires a high index of suspicion and should be considered.