Coronary artery fistulas as a rare cause of heart failure and ventricular arrhythmia, associated with multiple large vessel fistulas

López B.; Batallanos M. · Radiology Case Reports (2023) · DOI: 10.1016/j.radcr.2023.02.020

Resumen

Coronary artery fistulas are abnormal connections between the coronary arteries with a heart chamber or any of the major blood vessels. Fistulous connections between systemic arteries and pulmonary vessels are even less frequent. We present a case of a 71-year-old man with symptoms of dyspnea, exercise intolerance, and ventricular arrhythmia who attended the emergency department. Coronary angiography revealed bilateral coronary fistulas drained into the pulmonary circulation. Computed tomography angiography revealed the presence of fistulas arising from the descending aorta, right internal mammary artery, and subclavian arteries, all these drained into the pulmonary circulation. Due to the rarity of the disease, there are no international guidelines for the management of coronary fistulas and the treatment is controversial. Coronary artery fistula is a rare pathology that should be included in the differential diagnosis of heart failure and ventricular arrhythmia.