Coronary artery fistulas: CT findings

Abstract

Coronary artery fistulas are anomalous terminations of the coronary arteries. Most often, these fistulas are incidentally identified in the adult and pediatric populations. Many patients are asymptomatic; however, an awareness of these fistulas is important because they have been associated with various clinical features, including chest pain or heart failure in young patients. Correct diagnosis of coronary artery fistulas is important, and early surgical correction is indicated because of the high prevalence of late symptoms and complications. Traditionally, conventional angiography has been used for the diagnosis of coronary anomalies. With more frequent use of 64-row multi-detector computed tomography (CT) in chest and cardiac imaging, the number of incidentally found coronary artery fistulas has been increasing. CT angiography and conventional angiography can have additive value in diagnosis of this cardiac anomaly. In every CT study of the heart, special attention should be paid to the courses and terminations of the coronary arteries to detect these potentially fatal anomalies.