Right coronary artery-to-right ventricle fistula complicating percutaneous transluminal angioplasty: case report and review of the literature

J Am Soc Echocardiogr. 2004 Mar;17(3):280-3. doi: 10.1016/j.echo.2003.10.012.

Abstract

This case report describes an iatrogenic right coronary artery-to-right ventricle fistula resulting from percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty. In this patient transthoracic echocardiography with Doppler color flow mapping allowed direct visualization of the right coronary artery aneurysm and the coronary fistula, enabling us to identify the cardiac chamber into which the fistula drained. Transthoracic echocardiography was used for follow-up of this patient, demonstrating spontaneous closure of the fistula within 3 months of the procedure. In addition, this article provides a brief overview of reported cases of percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty-induced coronary fistulae. The clinical course of this complication and therapeutic approaches presented in the literature are also briefly discussed.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary / adverse effects*
  • Arterio-Arterial Fistula / diagnostic imaging
  • Arterio-Arterial Fistula / etiology*
  • Coronary Aneurysm / diagnostic imaging
  • Coronary Aneurysm / etiology*
  • Coronary Angiography
  • Coronary Stenosis / diagnostic imaging
  • Coronary Stenosis / therapy
  • Echocardiography
  • Echocardiography, Doppler, Color
  • Echocardiography, Transesophageal
  • Female
  • Heart Ventricles / diagnostic imaging
  • Heart Ventricles / pathology
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Postoperative Complications / diagnostic imaging
  • Postoperative Complications / etiology*
  • Vascular Fistula / diagnostic imaging
  • Vascular Fistula / etiology*