Arteriovenous fistulas after median sternotomy--report of 2 cases and review of the literature.
We report 2 cases of arteriovenous fistulas as a very rare complication following median sternotomy. In the first case a fistula was observed between the right internal mammary artery and vein caused by a sternal wire. The second patient developed a fistula between the innominate artery and left innominate vein after suture repair of a slight hemorrhage from the innominate vein. The latter localization has not been previously described. In both cases the fistulas were discovered by a continuous murmur appearing 12 and 11 days postoperatively. The therapy consisted of resternotomy and resection of the fistulas. The literature is reviewed and etiology, diagnosis and therapy are discussed.
Thiel
R
R
Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Heinrich-Heine-University of Düsseldorf, FRG.
Bircks
W
W
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001164:Arteriovenous Fistula / Q000209:etiology*; D016122:Brachiocephalic Trunk; D016121:Brachiocephalic Veins; D006348:Cardiac Surgical Procedures; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008323:Mammary Arteries; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D013249:Sternum / Q000601:surgery*; D013895:Thoracic Arteries