title: Natural history of a ventriculoatrial fistula after a gunshot injury in 1945.
abstract: We describe an exceptional case of a patient who suffered a penetrating heart injury from a gunshot wound in 1945 leading to a left ventricular-right atrial fistula. Despite the resulting left-to-right shunt the patient remained relatively asymptomatic for 50 years before the onset of congestive heart failure necessitated an operation.
authors.affiliation: Medizinische Poliklinik and Klinik für Herz- und Thoraxchirurgie, University of Würzburg, Germany.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Selinger
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Werner
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Silber
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Nellessen
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Inselmann
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D017541:Aneurysm, False / Q000209:etiology; D000787:Angina Pectoris / Q000209:etiology; D001022:Aortic Valve Insufficiency / Q000209:etiology; D001145:Arrhythmias, Cardiac / Q000209:etiology; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000209:etiology; D006332:Cardiomegaly / Q000209:etiology; D009202:Cardiomyopathies / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery; D005402:Fistula / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery; D006322:Heart Aneurysm / Q000209:etiology; D006325:Heart Atria / Q000293:injuries; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000209:etiology; D006335:Heart Injuries / Q000150:complications* / Q000601:surgery; D006352:Heart Ventricles / Q000293:injuries; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D013997:Time Factors; D014948:Wounds, Gunshot / Q000150:complications* / Q000601:surgery