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Balloon embolisation of a coronary arterial fistula
1Department of Radiodiagnosis, Bristol Royal Hospital for Sick Children, U.K.
Insights
Balloon embolization effectively treated a coronary artery fistula, avoiding surgery. This minimally invasive technique restored normal coronary artery anatomy, offering a viable alternative for suitable patients.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Interventional Cardiology
- Vascular Surgery
Background:
- Coronary arterial fistulas are abnormal connections between a coronary artery and a heart chamber.
- Surgical intervention has been the traditional treatment for coronary arterial fistulas.
Abstract:
Coronary arterial fistulas traditionally are treated surgically. We describe a case in which a fistula between the right coronary artery and right ventricle was treated by balloon embolisation. Coronary arteriography 13 months later showed that the fistula remained occluded, and that the coronary artery had returned to a normal size. In suitable cases, embolisation of coronary arterial fistulas is an effective alternative to surgery, and can restore normal coronary arterial anatomy.