[Neonatal cardiac insufficiency caused by a cerebral arteriovenous fistula. Review of the authors' cases]

Abstract

Four cases of newborn infants presenting congestive heart failure in the first two weeks of life with the clinical suspicion of cerebral arteriovenous fistula which was subsequently confirmed by cerebral echography or TAC and, after death, by necropsy, are described. Only one patient survived, the one treated surgically.

Conclusion: It is necessary to carry out urgent diagnosis with an early surgical operation, the only possibility of survival for these children.