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Updated: Apr 20, 2026

Catheter Ablation in Combination With Left Atrial Appendage Closure for Atrial Fibrillation
Published on: February 26, 2013
Atrial tachycardia treated by coil embolization of a giant coronary artery fistula
Yusuf Izzettin Alihanoglu1, Burcu Uludag1, Ismail Dogu Kilic1
1Department of Cardiology, Pamukkale University Medical Faculty, Denizli, Turkey.
Insights
Giant coronary artery fistulas can cause right atrial tachycardia. Successful fistula treatment eliminated the tachycardia, suggesting a direct link between this rare coronary anomaly and cardiac arrhythmia. This is the first reported case of this association.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Cardiac Electrophysiology
- Congenital Heart Disease
Background:
- Coronary artery fistulas are the second most common coronary anomaly.
- A coronary fistula is an abnormal connection between a coronary artery and a heart chamber or major vessel.
- Treatment options include percutaneous embolization and surgical repair.
Abstract:
Coronary artery fistulas are the second most frequently seen coronary anomaly following abnormalities of coronary artery origin and distribution. A coronary fistula is defined as a direct communication between a coronary artery and any cardiac chamber or vessel. Treatment options include percutaneous embolization and surgical intervention. Herein, we present a case of a giant coronary artery fistula and right atrial tachycardia that was induced during a diagnostic electrophysiologic study but was not inducible after the successful treatment of the fistula. This is the first case indicating this association.

