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.
Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Heinrich-Heine-University of Düsseldorf, FRG.
R
R
Thiel
W
W
Bircks
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