Percutaneous transcatheter closure of aorto-right ventricular fistula using the Amplatzer duct occluder
Emmanouil Petrou1, Ioannis Iakovou1, Evangelos Leontiadis1
1Division of Cardiology, Onassis Cardiac Surgery Center, Athens, Greece.
Insights
A rare aorto-right ventricular fistula after aortic valve replacement was successfully closed using a transcatheter approach. This percutaneous method offers an efficient treatment for this serious heart condition, improving patient survival.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Interventional Cardiology
- Cardiac Surgery
Background:
- Aorto-right ventricular fistula is a rare complication post-aortic valve replacement.
- Untreated fistulas can lead to heart failure and reduced patient survival.
Observation:
- A patient presented with heart failure due to a nine-year-old aorto-right ventricular fistula following aortic valve replacement.
Findings:
- Successful transcatheter closure of the aorto-right ventricular fistula was achieved using an Amplatzer duct occluder.
- This demonstrates the efficacy of the percutaneous approach for treating such fistulae.
Implications:
- Transcatheter closure presents a viable and efficient alternative to surgery for aorto-right ventricular fistulae.
- This technique can improve outcomes for patients with this rare post-surgical complication.
Abstract:
The occurrence of aorto-right ventricular fistula after an aortic valve replacement is rare. If it remains untreated, this condition can result in heart failure and could thus significantly compromise patient survival. Surgical closure is the treatment of choice; however, transcatheter closure has been attempted with relatively acceptable results. Here, we report on a patient who presented with heart failure with an aorto-right ventricular fistula that was present for nine years following aortic valve replacement. Successful transcatheter closure of the fistula with the use of the Amplatzer duct occluder was performed, suggesting that the percutaneous approach is an efficient technique for the treatment of such fistulae.
