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Coronary-to-bronchial artery communication: report of two patients successfully treated by embolization
G Jarry1, J P Bruaire, P Commeau
1Department of Cardiology, University of Amiens, France.
Insights
Two cases of coronary-to-bronchial artery communication causing coronary steal syndrome were successfully treated with embolization. This interventional radiology procedure effectively closed the abnormal connection, resolving symptoms in both patients.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Interventional Radiology
- Thoracic Medicine
Background:
- Coronary-to-bronchial artery communication is a rare anomaly.
- Bronchiectasis can predispose individuals to developing such communications.
- Coronary steal syndrome results from blood diversion away from the myocardium.
Observation:
- Two patients presented with symptoms attributed to coronary steal.
- The abnormal anastomosis in both cases originated from the proximal circumflex artery.
- Bronchiectasis was identified as a contributing factor in both cases.
Findings:
- Successful embolization was performed to close the coronary-to-bronchial artery anastomosis.
- The interventional procedure effectively occluded the abnormal communication.
- Both patients remained asymptomatic post-embolization.
Implications:
- Embolization is a viable and effective treatment for coronary-to-bronchial artery fistulas causing coronary steal.
- This minimally invasive approach offers a solution for a rare but significant cause of myocardial ischemia.
- Early diagnosis and intervention can lead to complete symptom resolution and improved patient outcomes.
Abstract:
We report two cases of coronary-to-bronchial artery communication responsible for coronary steal. In both cases the anastomosis originated from the proximal circumflex artery and developed because of bronchiectasis. In both cases closure of the anastomosis was achieved successfully by embolization. To date, the patients remained free from symptoms.