Aorta-atrial fistula, a rare complication of prosthetic valve endocarditis.
A 51-year-old male with a history of a mechanical Carbomedics aortic and mitral valve replacement in 2003 and several re-operations because of endocarditis of the mitral valve in 2007 presented with heart failure 68 days after operation. Echocardiography confirmed the presence of a fistulous connection between the aorta and the left atrium. Because of the multiple surgical interventions and high operative risk, an initial conservative medical treatment was initiated and the clinical course was uneventful to this date.
Dewilde
W
W
Department of Cardiology, Sint Antonius Hospital Nieuwegein, Koekoekslaan 1, 3435 CM Nieuwegein, The Netherlands. willemdewilde@yahoo.com
Kurvers
M
M
Jaarsma
W
W
D001011:Aorta; D017548:Echocardiography, Transesophageal; D004696:Endocarditis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology*; D006325:Heart Atria; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000209:etiology; D006350:Heart Valve Prosthesis / Q000009:adverse effects*; D019918:Heart Valve Prosthesis Implantation / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012086:Reoperation; D016157:Vascular Fistula / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology