Coronary artery fistula; coronary computed topography – The diagnostic modality of choice

SA Early¹ , TB Meany³ , HM Fenlon² and J Hurley¹

¹Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Mater Misericordiae University Hospital and Mater Private Hospital, Dublin, Ireland

²Department of Radiology, Mater Misericordiae University Hospital and Mater Private Hospital, Dublin, Ireland

³Department of Cardiology, Limerick Regional Hospital, Limerick, Ireland

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Journal of Cardiothoracic Surgery 2008, 3:41doi:10.1186/1749-8090-3-41


Published:	5 July 2008

Abstract

Coronary artery fistulae (CAF) are rare anomalies. They are vascular communications between the coronary arteries and other cardiac structures, either cardiac chambers or great vessels. There can be considerable variation in the course of a coronary artery fistula. We report a case of a coronary artery fistula between the left circumflex coronary artery and the right and left atria. CAF are often diagnosed by coronary angiogram, however with the advent of new technologies such as Coronary Computed Tomography Angiography (Coronary CTA) the course and communications of these fistulae can be delineated non-invasively and with greater accuracy.