Transcatheter Closure of Left Circumflex Coronary Artery to Coronary Sinus Fistula

Daniel Feldman1, Julio Echarte-Morales1, Matteo Sturla1

  • 1Montefiore-Einstein Center for Heart and Vascular Care, Montefiore Medical Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York, USA.

JACC. Case Reports
|July 25, 2025
PubMed

Insights

Percutaneous coil embolization successfully treated a rare coronary artery fistula in a high-risk patient. This minimally invasive approach offers a safe alternative to surgery for complex cardiac conditions.

Area of Science:

  • Interventional Cardiology
  • Cardiovascular Surgery
  • Vascular Medicine

Background:

  • Coronary artery fistula is a rare congenital or acquired cardiovascular anomaly.
  • Surgical intervention has been the traditional management for coronary artery fistulas.
  • Percutaneous techniques offer a less invasive alternative, particularly for high-risk surgical candidates.

Observation:

  • A 65-year-old male presented with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction attributed to a left circumflex artery to coronary sinus fistula.
  • The patient had a significant surgical risk profile, precluding traditional surgical repair.
  • Successful percutaneous closure was achieved using 3-dimensional-shaped platinum-based bare-metal coils.

Findings:

  • The case demonstrates successful percutaneous coil embolization for a distal left circumflex artery to coronary sinus fistula.
  • Despite the distal location and risk of side branch occlusion, the procedure was technically successful.
  • Percutaneous closure of coronary artery fistulas demonstrates high success rates and low recurrence rates.

Implications:

  • Percutaneous intervention is a viable and effective treatment option for selected patients with coronary artery fistulas, especially those at high surgical risk.
  • The use of 3D-shaped platinum coils presents a promising tool, although off-label use necessitates further research into standardized protocols and long-term outcomes.
  • Multidisciplinary heart team approach is crucial for optimizing individualized management strategies in complex cardiovascular cases.
Abstract