Woman with chest pain and shortness of breath since age 18.
We present an interesting case of a 38-year-old woman who presented with a history of left-sided chest pain, dyspnoea and palpitations. The symptoms have been occurring since age 18, and were previously diagnosed as costochondritis. Because of the suspicious history, the patient underwent further cardiac investigations. The echocardiogram demonstrated an abnormal structure adjacent to the aortic valve. A diagnostic coronary angiogram revealed a large left circumflex artery fistulating into the right atrium. Surgery was performed to ligate the fistula. The patient recovered well and has been asymptomatic since.
Department of Cardiology, University Hospital Limerick, Dooradoyle, Limerick, Ireland. doctorrlobo@gmail.com
Ronstan
R
Lobo
Ren Yik
RY
Lim
Brendan
B
Meany
Thomas John
TJ
Kiernan
D000328:Adult; D002637:Chest Pain / Q000209:etiology; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D004417:Dyspnea / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D005402:Fistula / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006331:Heart Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D013997:Time Factors; D016157:Vascular Fistula / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*