Long-Term Follow-Up of a Nonprogressive Left Main Coronary Artery Fistula to Right Atrium

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Congenital Heart Disease

Background:

• Coronary artery fistula (CAF) is an uncommon congenital or acquired cardiovascular anomaly.
• CAFs typically manifest in younger individuals and are often treated with surgical or interventional procedures.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report a case of incidentally diagnosed coronary artery fistula in an adult.
• To discuss the feasibility of a conservative management strategy for selected adult patients with CAF.

Main Methods:

• Case report of a 63-year-old male patient.
• Review of diagnostic findings and treatment decision-making process.
• Follow-up assessment of the conservative strategy.

Main Results:

• Incidental diagnosis of a coronary artery fistula.
• Successful implementation of a conservative management approach without immediate intervention.
• Patient remained asymptomatic during the follow-up period.

Conclusions:

• Coronary artery fistulas can be incidentally discovered in older adults.
• A conservative strategy may be a viable option for select adult patients with asymptomatic coronary artery fistulas.
• Individualized treatment decisions are crucial for managing coronary artery fistulas.