Complex coronary artery fistulas in adults: evaluation with multidetector computed tomography

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Radiology
• Medical Imaging

Background:

• Coronary artery fistulas (CAFs) are uncommon anomalies where coronary arteries connect abnormally.
• While often asymptomatic, CAFs can lead to heart failure or ischemic heart disease.
• Early diagnosis is crucial for managing CAFs and preventing complications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the pathophysiology and clinical features of CAFs.
• To illustrate the multi-detector computed tomography (MDCT) imaging findings of various CAF types in adults.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing literature on coronary artery fistulas.
• Analysis of MDCT imaging characteristics of diagnosed CAFs in adult patients.

Main Results:

• MDCT is increasingly utilized for diagnosing cardiovascular anomalies, including incidentally detected CAFs.
• Familiarity with MDCT findings is essential for accurate CAF diagnosis.
• The article details diverse MDCT findings across different CAF types.

Conclusions:

• MDCT is a valuable tool for diagnosing coronary artery fistulas.
• Understanding MDCT findings improves early detection and management of CAFs.
• This review aids clinicians in recognizing and diagnosing CAFs using MDCT.