Congenital coronary arteriovenous fistula presenting with syncope
D S Braden1, K R O'Neal, M R McMullan
1Division of Pediatric Cardiology, University of Mississippi Medical Center, 2500 North State Street, Jackson, MS 39216-4505, USA.
Insights
Syncope in patients with coronary arteriovenous fistula (CAVF) is often linked to coronary steal. This case report details syncope in a young woman with CAVF, occurring without the typical coronary steal mechanism.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Vascular Surgery
- Medical Case Reports
Background:
- Coronary arteriovenous fistula (CAVF) is a rare congenital or acquired anomaly.
- Syncope is a potential symptom in patients with CAVF, previously attributed to coronary steal.
- Coronary steal describes a phenomenon where blood is diverted from the myocardium.
Observation:
- A young woman presented with recurrent episodes of syncope.
- The patient was diagnosed with a coronary arteriovenous fistula (CAVF).
- Diagnostic imaging revealed no anatomical basis for a coronary steal phenomenon.
Findings:
- The patient experienced syncope despite the absence of a coronary steal mechanism.
- This challenges the established theory linking syncope in CAVF solely to coronary steal.
- Suggests alternative pathophysiological mechanisms for syncope in CAVF.
Implications:
- Re-evaluation of the pathophysiology of syncope in coronary arteriovenous fistula is warranted.
- Clinicians should consider alternative causes of syncope in CAVF patients without coronary steal.
- Further research is needed to elucidate the exact mechanisms causing syncope in such cases.
Abstract:
Previous reports of syncope in patients with coronary arteriovenous fistula (CAVF) have theorized that it occurs secondary to a coronary steal phenomenon. We present a case of syncope in a young woman with a CAVF and no anatomic substrate for coronary steal.
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