Congenital fistulous tract between aorta and right atrium presenting as heart failure in a newborn

Abstract

A newborn with a fistulous communication between the right coronary sinus and right atrium had congestive heart failure on the first day of life. Medical management was unsuccessful and operative repair was performed using bypass surgery at 5 days of age. Echocardiographic evaluation preoperatively diagnosed the defect correctly and postoperatively confirmed a complete repair. Since aneurysms and/or fistulae can occur in other sinuses after an initial repair of the presenting lesion, the infant will continue to be followed with periodic echocardiographic and clinical evaluations.