Post Closure Evaluation of Coronary Artery Fistulae.

Coronary artery fistula (CAF) is a rare congenital anomaly in which a communication is present between a coronary artery and cardiac chamber. Conventional coronary angiography is an invasive and expensive procedure, and cannot provide three-dimensional data. ECG gated multidetector CT (MDCT) is useful for non-invasive evaluation of coronary artery fistulae. Objectives: In this paper, we describe ten postclosure cases of coronary artery fistulae. The aim of this study is to demonstrate the effectiveness of 128 sliceMDCT in demonstrating the precise anatomy and post closure follow-up of coronary artery fistula. Methods: 10 pediatric subjects underwent MDCT as well as conventional coronary angiography. Good quality images were obtained in all patients to analyze the coronary artery fistulae and their anatomic course. Results: MDCT not only provided precise details of post closure CAF but also clearly delineated anatomy of other coronary arteries. Catheter-related risks like bleeding at puncture site, hematoma formation were completely eliminated. Advances in Knowledge: MDCT may provide additional precise details of CAF. It also eliminates minor as well as more serious complications of catheter angiography and a small but definite incidence of mortality. The procedure is carried out as an outpatient procedure. Thus, MDCT is considered as a good alternative to echocardiography and coronary angiography for diagnosis as well as follow-up of CAF.

Multiple congenital coronary artery fistulae draining into the left ventrice / Físulas coronariias congénitas múltiples drenando el ventrículo izquierdo

Coronary artery fistula between a coronary artery and a cardiac chamber is a rare condition, especially when multiple fistulas communicate with the left ventricle. Herein we report a case of an elderly woman with multiple diffuse coronary artery-left ventricular fistulas diagnosed by angiography. Since the coronary artery-cardiac chamber communications were multiple and diffuse neither surgery nor transcatheter coil occlusion was considered in this case.

Las fístulas de las arterias coronarias que drenan a las cavidades cardíacas son una anomalía infrecuente, especialmente cuando son múltiples y drenan hacia el ventrículo izquierdo. Presentamos el caso de una mujer octogenaria con múltiples fístulas difusas que se originan de la coronaria izquierda y que drenan al ventrículo izquierdo. El hecho de que fuesen múltiples y difusas imposibilitó una intervención quirúrgica o percutánea como se recomienda en estos casos. (Arch Cardiol Mex 2004; 74:45-48).

Tratamento cirúrgico de fístulas congênitas da artéria coronária / Surgical Treatment of Congenital Fistulae of Coronary Artery

PURPOSE--To evaluate the surgical result of the cases of congenital fistulae of the coronary artery. METHODS--Seven patients were surgically treated since January 80 until February 94. The ages ranged from 3 days to 52 years old. The diagnosis was suspected by echocardiogram and established by cardiac catheterization. RESULTS--Regarding the clinical status, 3 (42.85) patients were asymptomatic, 3 (42.85) presented congestive heart failure and 1 (14.28) precordial pain and palpitation. The fistulae, located in inferior wall of the right ventricle in 1 (14.28) patient, apex of the right ventricle in 1 (14.28), right atrium in 3 (42.85), and coronary sinus in 1 (14.28), were isolated in 4 (57.17), 1 (14.28) also had fixed subaortic stenosis, 1 (14.28) had previously undergone the ligate of the ductus arteriosus and 1 (14.28) also had aortic coarctation and ductus arteriosus. After surgical treatment, 5 (85.72) had follow up abnormalities, showing good clinical outcome; 1 (14.28), that also had aortic and subaortic stenosis, followed with minimal aortic regurgitation and poor left ventricular performance; 1 (14.28), that had aortic coarctation and ductus arteriosus, who had been operated on in unfavourable hemodynamic conditions, died 5 days after surgery. CONCLUSION--Surgical correction should be proposed as a treatment of the congenital fistulae of the coronary artery, since it is technically feasible, and has low in-hospital mortality and morbidity.

Objetivo − Relatar o resultado cirúrgico dos casos de fístulas congênitas das artérias coronárias. Métodos − De janeiro/80 a fevereiro/94, foi analisado tratamento cirúrgico em pacientes, com idades entre 3 dias e 52 anos, com diagnóstico feito através do ecocardiograma e confirmado pelo cateterismo cardíaco. Resultados − Com relação ao quadro clínico, 3 (42,85%) pacientes eram assintomáticos, 3 (42,85%) apresentavam insuficiência cardíaca congestiva e 1 (14,28%) dor precordial e palpitação. As fístulas localizadas na parede inferior do ventrículo direito (VD em 1 (14,28%) paciente, na ponta do VD em 1 (14,28%), no átrio direito em 3 (42,85%) e no seio coronário em 1 (14,28%), eram isoladas em 4 (57,17%), 1 (14,28%) tinha sido submetido à ligadura do canal arterial previamente e 1 (14,28%) tinha associada coarctação da aorta e canal arterial. Após tratamento cirúrgico, 5 (85,72%) evoluíram com pós-operatório (PO) sem intercorrências, apresentando melhora clínica; 1 (14,28%), que apresentava estenose subaórtica e aórtica associada, evoluiu com insuficiência aórtica discreta e mau desempenho do ventrículo esquerdo; 1 (14,28%), que apresentava coarctação da aorta e persistência docanal arterial associados, tendo sido operado em condições hemodinâmicas desfavoráveis, evoluiu com óbito no 5º PO. Conclusão − A correção cirúrgica deve ser propostapara tratamento das fístulas congênitas da artériacoronária pela sua facilidade técnica e baixa morbimortalidade hospitalar