Clinical Evaluation of Coronary Artery Fistula / 대한흉부외과학회지

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Coronary artery fistula is rare congenital anomaly, which account for 0.27~0.40% of all congenital heart diseases. We report the clinical observations of 45 patients with coronary artery fistula. MATERIAL AND METHOD: We reviewed all patients presented with or without symptoms of coronary artery fistula between 1987 and 2004. Age ranged from 1 to 83 years. Twenty-six patients were female. The patients were divided into 2 groups according to the presenting symptoms. Twelve patients were in group A (asymptomatic) and 33 patients in group B (symptomatic). The most common clinical presentation in group B was angina (18) followed by dyspnea (7), atypical chest pain (5), syncope (1), fatigue (1), and palpitation (1). Twenty-five patients were associated with other cardiac diseases, which were atrial septal defect (4), coronary artery occlusive disease (6), hypertension (12), and valvular heart disease (2). RESULT: Patients were followed-up for a mean period of 64.8+/-62.7 months. There was no complication related to coronary artery fistula during the follow-up period in both group. There was no mortality related to coronary artery fistula. CONCLUSION: In symptomatic patients, early surgical treatment is recommended considering the low perioperative morbidity. In asymptomatic patients receiving medical treatment, close follow up may be necessary.