Coronary artery steal secondary to coronary arteriovenous fistula

Abstract

Coronary arteriovenous fistula in adults may be associated with angina pectoris. It has been suggested that the cause of the angina is a coronary artery steal of blood into the fistula but this has not been demonstrated. To study its hemodynamics the authors describe two cases of coronary artery fistula. They discuss the use of radionuclide angiography in this setting. The surgical technique is outlined and the use of intraoperative electrocardiographic monitoring is emphasized.