Transcatheter closure of right coronary artery fistula to the right ventricle

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Congenital Heart Disease
• Interventional Cardiology

Background:

• Coronary artery fistula (CAF) is a rare congenital or acquired anomaly of the heart.
• While often asymptomatic, CAFs can lead to severe complications like heart failure, endocarditis, or ischemia.
• Historically, surgical ligation was the primary treatment, but transcatheter closure has emerged as a viable alternative since 1983.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report a successful transcatheter closure of a large, unusual coronary artery fistula.
• To highlight an alternative treatment option for complex congenital cardiac anomalies.
• To document a rare case of a fistula between the right coronary artery and the right ventricle.

Main Methods:

• A 3-year-old boy with a large coronary artery fistula underwent transcatheter closure.
• The fistula connected the distal right coronary artery directly to the right ventricle.
• The procedure was performed at Queen Alia Heart Institute.

Main Results:

• Successful transcatheter closure of the large coronary artery fistula was achieved.
• The patient presented with a rare type of fistula involving the right coronary artery and right ventricle.
• The intervention served as a successful alternative to surgical management.

Conclusions:

• Transcatheter closure is an effective treatment for coronary artery fistulas, even in complex cases.
• This case underscores the importance of interventional cardiology in managing rare congenital heart anomalies.
• Minimally invasive closure provides a valuable alternative to traditional surgical ligation for coronary artery fistulas.