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Creating Radio-cephalic Arteriovenous Fistula in the Forearm with a Modified No-Touch Technique
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Creating Radio-cephalic Arteriovenous Fistula in the Forearm with a Modified No-Touch Technique

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[High output heart failure due to an iatrogenic arteriovenous fistula after cardiac catheterization]

Augusto Ministro1, Tiago Costa, Diogo Cunha e Sá

  • 1Clínica Universitária de Cirurgia Vascular, Hospital de Santa Maria, Centro Hospitalar Lisboa Norte, Lisboa.

Revista Portuguesa De Cirurgia Cardio-Toracica E Vascular : Orgao Oficial Da Sociedade Portuguesa De Cirurgia Cardio-Toracica E Vascular
|February 9, 2010
PubMed

Insights

An arteriovenous fistula (FAV) can rarely cause heart failure after cardiac procedures. Surgical repair of this groin fistula resolved the patient's heart failure, highlighting the importance of clinical examination for diagnosis.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Vascular Surgery
  • Interventional Cardiology

Background:

  • Arteriovenous fistulas (FAVs) are uncommon complications following cardiac catheterization.
  • While most FAVs are asymptomatic, they can occasionally lead to significant morbidity.

Observation:

  • A 70-year-old woman presented with high-output heart failure.
  • The patient had a history of cardiac catheterization, and a subsequent examination revealed an arteriovenous fistula in the groin.

Findings:

  • The arteriovenous fistula was successfully treated with surgical repair.
  • Following the intervention, the patient's high-output heart failure symptoms resolved completely.

Implications:

  • This case underscores the potential for iatrogenic arteriovenous fistulas to cause severe cardiovascular complications.
  • Early clinical recognition and diagnosis of iatrogenic FAVs are crucial for timely intervention and favorable patient outcomes.
  • Surgical correction of arteriovenous fistulas typically leads to the restoration of normal cardiac function.

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