Management of long-standing cardiocutaneous fistulas after resection of left ventricular aneurysms.
Cardiocutaneous fistulas arising from pledgets used in the closure of resected left ventricular aneurysms are rare but have serious implications. The case histories of four patients, each managed in a somewhat different manner, are presented. From this experience we recommend an aggressive approach to remove the infected pledgets once scar formation is complete and before erosion of the pledgets into the left ventricular cavity can occur.
D000328:Adult; D001807:Blood Vessel Prosthesis; D002404:Catheterization; D001026:Coronary Artery Bypass; D005402:Fistula / Q000601:surgery*; D006322:Heart Aneurysm / Q000601:surgery*; D006331:Heart Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000601:surgery*; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000601:surgery