Case report of a coronary artery-right ventricular fistula following repeat endomyocardial biopsies in a heart transplant patient.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Endomyocardial biopsy (EMB) remains the gold standard for cellular rejection surveillance in heart transplant recipients. Coronary artery fistula formation is a rare late and potentially catastrophic complication of repeated endomyocardial biopsies, without contemporary evidence on incidence or management.

Case summary

A 47-year-old male was found to have a fistula between his right ventricle and his left anterior descending artery on an angiogram that was performed as a part of regular screening of coronary allograft vasculopathy. Given the low shunt fraction, asymptomatic nature, and lack of guidelines on definitive management, the patient is undergoing conservative management with regular surveillance.

Discussion

Coronary artery fistulas were once though

SUBMITTER: Siebert VR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8233482 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature