title: Percutaneous embolization of a congenital aortocaval fistula--clinical case.
abstract: Congenital aortocaval fistulae are a rare cause of left-to-right shunt. In this clinical case, an 8-year-old child was referred by the family doctor for pediatric cardiology consultation after detection of a chest murmur. Cardiac auscultation revealed a continuous murmur, best heard on the left sternal edge and back. During the study, cardiac angiography showed a large collateral vessel in the middle third of the thoracic aorta with a complex and sinuous route that ended at the superior vena cava. Percutaneous embolization was performed using a coil. Due to the large size of the collateral a total of three coils were necessary for complete occlusion. No complications were recorded and six-month follow-up confirmed absence of shunt. Compared to the surgical option, this procedure is less invasive and apparently with less risk to the patient.
authors.affiliation: Serviço de Cardiologia Pediátrica/Cardiologia, Hospitais da Universidade de Coimbra, Coimbra. alexandre.antunes@portugalmail.com
authors.forename: Alexandre
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Antunes
authors.forename: António
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Marinho
authors.forename: Dina
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Rodrigues
authors.forename: António
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sá e Melo
authors.forename: Luís
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Oliveira
authors.forename: Luís A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Providência
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001018:Aortic Diseases / Q000151:congenital / Q000628:therapy*; D001164:Arteriovenous Fistula / Q000151:congenital / Q000628:therapy*; D004621:Embolization, Therapeutic / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D014683:Vena Cava, Superior