Coronary artery to pulmonary artery fistulae with multiple aneurysms: radiological features on dual-source 64-slice
A Tomasian1, M Lell, J Currier
1Department of Radiological Sciences, University of California at Los Angeles, 10945 Le Conte Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90095-7206, USA. atomasian@mednet.ucla.edu
Insights
Coronary artery fistulas are rare vascular anomalies. This case highlights a 66-year-old man diagnosed with two separate coronary artery to pulmonary artery fistulas, one with aneurysms, using advanced imaging.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Vascular Surgery
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Coronary artery fistula (CAF) is a rare congenital or acquired condition characterized by abnormal communication between a coronary artery and a cardiac chamber or great vessel.
- CAFs can lead to significant cardiovascular complications, including heart failure, myocardial infarction, and arrhythmias.
Observation:
- A 66-year-old male patient presented with findings suggestive of coronary artery anomalies.
- Diagnostic imaging revealed two distinct coronary artery to pulmonary artery fistulas.
- One of the identified fistulas exhibited multiple aneurysmal dilations.
Findings:
- Dual-source 64-slice coronary CT angiography successfully diagnosed the complex coronary artery fistulas.
- Coronary catheter angiography confirmed the anatomical details and extent of the fistulas.
- The presence of multiple aneurysms in one fistula adds complexity to the case.
Implications:
- Accurate diagnosis of coronary artery fistulas is crucial for appropriate management and prevention of complications.
- Advanced multi-detector CT angiography offers high resolution for visualizing complex vascular structures like CAFs.
- This case underscores the importance of considering rare vascular anomalies in adult patients with cardiovascular symptoms.
Abstract:
Coronary artery fistula is a rare vascular anomaly in which there is abnormal communication between the coronary artery and the great vessels or cardiac chambers. We report the case of a 66-year-old man with two separate coronary artery to pulmonary artery fistulas (one of which demonstrated multiple aneurysms), which were diagnosed on dual-source 64-slice coronary CT and reconfirmed by coronary catheter angiography.
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