Traumatic Arteriovenous Fistula between the Internal Thoracic Artery and Vein

The case is presented of a young male with a traumatic arteriovenous fistula between the internal thoracic vessels following a penetrating injury. The nature of the resulting cardiac bruit and its direction of radiation seemed to differentiate the condition from a persistent ductus arteriosus. This was confirmed by emergency aortography and appropriate surgical treatment was performed. The literature is reviewed and a few similar reported cases are quoted.

A case of traumatic internal thoracic arteriovenous fistula is presented. The nature and site of the penetrating injury, the presence of a superficial continuous murmur conducted down-ward and to the right, and an awareness of the occurrence of this condition following chest trauma suggested the diagnosis, which was confirmed by an immediate thoracic aortogram. The condition was cured by immediate surgery. Only four other cases of post-traumatic fistulae between the internal thoracic artery and vein have been found in the literature.