Post-sternotomy internal mammary arteriovenous fistula.
Arteriovenous fistula from the mammary artery is a rare complication following cardiac surgery. The fistula usually develops within the first 2 weeks after surgery and is initially asymptomatic. Typically, a continuous machinery murmur is heard along the parasternal border of the chest wall. A patient with an arteriovenous fistula between the right internal mammary artery and mammary vein following a combined aortic valve and coronary bypass operation is described. A transthoracic colour Doppler scan led to the diagnosis of the fistula. Because of potential late complications endovascular embolisation of the fistula was successfully performed.
Haaverstad
R
R
Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff, UK. rhaavers@online.no
Groves
P H
PH
Pugh
N D
ND
Ruttley
M
M
D000368:Aged; D001164:Arteriovenous Fistula / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D004621:Embolization, Therapeutic; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008323:Mammary Arteries; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000628:therapy; D013249:Sternum / Q000601:surgery*; D018615:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color; D014680:Veins