title: Transesophageal echocardiography on the presurgical and postsurgical evaluation of a coronary arteriovenous fistula.
abstract: A 52-year-old man with a symptomatic condition-a huge left coronary artery fistula simulating a cor triatriatum sinister on transthoracic echocardiography-was referred to our center for surgery. Coronary angiography unequivocally established the diagnosis of a left coronary artery fistula and contrast opacification of the right atrium was observed. However, as a result of the size of the fistula, the entry site could not be defined with certainty. A transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) was then performed, and the opening site was clearly identified in the postero-lateral wall of the right atrium. After the surgical treatment transesophageal echocardiography was repeated, and it was confirmed that the surgical treatment had succeeded.
authors.affiliation: Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Oporto University Hospital, Porto, Portugal.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Almeida
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lobo
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Casanova
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Torres
authors.forename: M R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Gomes
mesh_terms: D001164:Arteriovenous Fistula / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery; D003330:Coronary Vessel Anomalies / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery; D017548:Echocardiography, Transesophageal; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged