title: Coronary artery fistula: a review.
abstract: Coronary arterial fistulas are abnormal connections between the coronary arteries and the chambers of the heart or major thoracic vessels. Although first described in 1841, the true incidence is difficult to evaluate because approximately half of the cases may be asymptomatic and clinically undetectable. This review will discuss the history and prevalence of coronary artery fistulas and their morphology, histology, presentation, diagnosis, treatment options, and complications.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomical Sciences, St. George's University School of Medicine, Grenada, West Indies; Department of Anatomy, Medical Faculty, University of Varmia and Masuria in Olsztyn, Poland. Electronic address: mloukas@sgu.edu.
authors.forename: Marios
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Loukas
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomical Sciences, St. George's University School of Medicine, Grenada, West Indies.
authors.forename: Ashley St
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Germain
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomical Sciences, St. George's University School of Medicine, Grenada, West Indies.
authors.forename: Abigail
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gabriel
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, SUNY Downstate Medical Center, New York, USA.
authors.forename: Alana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: John
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomical Sciences, St. George's University School of Medicine, Grenada, West Indies; Pediatric Neurosurgery, Children's Hospital, Birmingham, AL, USA.
authors.forename: R Shane
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Tubbs
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics-Cardiology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA; The Congenital Heart Institute of Florida, St. Petersburg, FL, USA.
authors.forename: Diane
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Spicer
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000473:pathology*; D005402:Fistula / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans
keywords: Canine; Congenital coronary artery fistula; Coronary vessels; Fistula