PMID: 6983154Dec 4, 1982Paper

Iatrogenic aortocoronary vein fistula. A case presentation and review of the literature

South African Medical Journal = Suid-Afrikaanse Tydskrif Vir Geneeskunde
J Z Przybojewski

Abstract

A patient underwent aortocoronary saphenous bypass grafting to the left anterior descending coronary artery (LADA) and its first diagonal branch for the relief of severe angina pectoris. There was difficulty in exposure of the LADA, which was covered by a thick layer of epicardial adipose tissue. Postoperatively the patient continued to experience severe retrosternal pain which prompted early repeat coronary angiography. This revealed an aortocoronary vein fistula (AVF) secondary to the inadvertent anastomosis of one of the saphenous vein grafts to the left anterior descending coronary vein (LADV). It was only after this procedure that clinical examination revealed a grade 2/6 high-frequency continuous murmur best heard in the 2nd and 3rd left intercostal spaces. The persistance of severe angina pectoris at rest and on effort led to performance of a revision operation. The LADV was then transected and ligated, and an extended saphenous vein reimplanted into the LADA proper. This provided complete relief from angina. This is the first such case reported in South Africa and the sixth documented. In all the aortosaphenous vein grafts had been inserted into the LADV; all exhibited the classic continuous murmur postoperatively, apar...Continue Reading

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