Cardiocutaneous fistula after left ventricular aneurysm repair. Case report and review of the literature

Abstract

Cardio-cutaneous fistula is a rare late complication of LV aneurysm repair related to the use of Teflon strips to bolster the suture line. Since bleeding occurs in half of the cases and there is no tendency to spontaneous healing, operation should be advised and should involve complete removal of all foreign material with the aid of CPB. We suggest that foreign body intolerance might be the main factor in the development of the lesion and infection a consequence of fistulisation through the skin.