Coronary-pulmonary fistula: long-term follow-up in operated and non-operated patients

Abstract

Eleven cases with 13, incidentally found coronary-pulmonary fistulous communications were discovered out of about 11,000 diagnostic coronary angiograms performed in different patients, over the period 1968 to 1989. These patients were followed-up for an average period of 4.4 years (range 2-11 years). The majority had a fistulous malformation originating from the proximal part of the left anterior descending artery and terminating in the pulmonary trunk. In three subjects, the right coronary artery participated in formation of the shunt. The fistulas consisted either of a convoluted mass of serpentive vessels, sometimes with aneurysmal formation, or of a solitary single vessel. Angina pectoris, atypical chest pain and fatigue were the most common symptoms. All patients were treated conservatively except one, who underwent ligation of the fistula and coronary arterial bypass grafting. Two subjects are still free of symptoms. No death occurred. None of the patients developed subacute bacterial endocarditis, acute myocardial infarction or left ventricular failure during the period of follow-up of more than four years. Three individuals, prior to the follow-up period, had suffered myocardial infarction contralateral to the shunt. They had no recurrence.