title: Transcatheter closure of coronary artery fistula using the new Amplatzer vascular plug and a telescoping catheter technique.
abstract: Coronary artery fistulas (CAFs) are rare congenital or acquired anomalies characterized by an abnormal communication between the coronary arteries and the cardiac chambers or great vessels. Most patients are asymptomatic during childhood but symptoms and complications have been reported with advancing age. Until recently, surgery was the routine mode of treatment for CAFs but, today transcatheter closure is recommended using a variety of devices, such as occlusion coils, vascular plugs, umbrella devices and covered stents. The case described here is of a 47-year-old woman with a large bilateral CAF draining into the pulmonary artery, successfully treated by implantation of two Amplatzer vascular plugs using a telescoping catheter technique.
authors.affiliation: Interventional Cardiology, Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, S. Camillo Forlanini Hospital, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Antonella
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: De Santis
authors.forename: Alberta
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cifarelli
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Violini
mesh_terms: D001159:Arterio-Arterial Fistula / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy*; D006328:Cardiac Catheterization / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*; D017023:Coronary Angiography; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011474:Prosthesis Design; D011651:Pulmonary Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D055989:Septal Occluder Device; D016896:Treatment Outcome