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Congenital: Cardiothoracic imaging| Volume 156, ISSUE 1, P358-362, July 2018

When a coronary artery fistula is not simply a fistula: Using multimodality imaging to demonstrate an unusual embryologic remnant

  • Arash Salavitabar
    Correspondence
    Address for reprints: Arash Salavitabar, MD, Division of Pediatric Cardiology, Department of Pediatrics, New York-Presbyterian Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital, Columbia University Medical Center, 3959 Broadway, CHN2-253, New York, NY 10032.
    Affiliations
    Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Cardiology, New York-Presbyterian Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY
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  • Anjali Chelliah
    Affiliations
    Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Cardiology, New York-Presbyterian Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY
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  • David Kalfa
    Affiliations
    Section of Congenital and Pediatric Cardiac Surgery, Division of Cardiac, Thoracic and Vascular Surgery, New York-Presbyterian Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY
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  • Matthew A. Crystal
    Affiliations
    Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Cardiology, New York-Presbyterian Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY
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Open ArchivePublished:February 17, 2018DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtcvs.2018.02.032
When a coronary artery fistula is not simply a fistula: Using multimodality imaging to demonstrate an unusual embryologic remnant
Previous ArticleA unique computed tomographic finding: Dissection? Congenital structure? Artifact? New entity?—Significance in diagnosis of the “intra-aortic chord”
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      Figure thumbnail fx1
      Intercoronary connections forming a coronary–cameral fistula to the RV outflow tract.
      A multimodality imaging approach is critical in evaluating complex coronary artery fistulae and can provide targeted approaches to transcatheter and surgical treatments.
      Video clip is available online.
      Our approach to this unusual coronary artery fistula underscores complementary roles of multimodality imaging in delineating complex coronary artery anatomy. Murmur evaluation of this infant diagnosed right coronary artery (RCA) ostial atresia with compensatory intercoronary connections from the left anterior descending (LAD) coronary artery to the RCA and a coronary–cameral fistula to the right ventricular outflow tract. Echocardiogram demonstrated coronary–cameral fistulae to the right ventricle (Video 1), a mildly dilated left ventricle, and holodiastolic flow reversal in the descending aorta. A low-radiation electrocardiogram-gated computed tomography angiogram (effective radiation dose 0.3 mSv) revealed 3 connections arising from a dilated LAD to the RCA, with a normal-caliber distal LAD (Figure 1). Visualization of the RCA ostium was limited by the patient's small size and rapid heart rate.
      • Chen S.J.
      • Lin M.T.
      • Lee W.J.
      • Liu K.L.
      • Wang J.K.
      • Chang C.I.
      • et al.
      Coronary artery anatomy in children with congenital heart disease by computed tomography.
      Int J Cardiol. 2007; 120: 363-370
      Three-dimensional models were digitally created and printed with hollowed-out vessel lumens for testing of catheter courses and predetermined fluoroscopic angles (Figure 2 and Video 2).
      Figure thumbnail fx2
      Video 1Echocardiogram showing a color-compare clip of at least 1 large vessel coursing anteriorly and rightward in an oblique apical view. Video available at: http://www.jtcvsonline.org/article/S0022-5223(18)30395-7/fulltext.
      Figure thumbnail fx3
      Video 2Rotating virtual 3-dimensional reconstructed model. Video available at: http://www.jtcvsonline.org/article/S0022-5223(18)30395-7/fulltext.
      Figure thumbnail gr1
      Figure 1A, Coronary computed tomography angiogram showing a severely dilated left main and left anterior descending coronary artery (*) with no evidence of a right coronary artery ostium, intercoronary “Connection #1” coursing anteriorly, and the fistula coursing toward the right ventricular outflow tract in an oblique axial plane. B, Three-dimensional volume-rendered computed tomography angiogram. Ao, Aorta; RVOT, right ventricular outflow tract; LAD, left anterior descending coronary artery.
      Figure thumbnail gr2
      Figure 2A, Three-dimensional (3D) virtual model from the anteroposterior (left) and lateral (right) views. B, 3D-printed model with left anterior descending coronary artery as labeled. C, 3D-printed model with coronary arteries and inter-coronary connections hollowed out. A wire is seen coursing from the ostium of the left main coronary artery, through the LAD, and into intercoronary “Connection #1.” Left Cx, Circumflex branch of left coronary artery; LAD, left anterior descending coronary artery.
      Cardiac catheterization confirmed RCA ostial atresia and demonstrated the sole source of RCA flow by the intercoronary connections, coalescing into one fistula to the right ventricular outflow tract (Figure 3 and Video 3). This comprehensive imaging approach revealed that the intercoronary connection closest to the base of the heart was likely the circle (or anastomosis) of Vieussens,
      • Rathor A.L.
      • Gooch A.S.
      • Maranhao V.
      Survival through conus artery collateralization in severe coronary heart disease.
      Chest. 1973; 63: 840-843
      a persistent embryologic collateralization remnant between the RCA and LCA by the conus artery. The remaining connections likely represented septal perforating branches.
      Figure thumbnail fx4
      Video 3Transcatheter angiogram performed retrograde in the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) in anteroposterior (left) and lateral (right) views during balloon occlusion of the proximal LAD. Video available at: http://www.jtcvsonline.org/article/S0022-5223(18)30395-7/fulltext.
      Figure thumbnail gr3
      Figure 3Still-frame picture of a transcatheter angiogram performed retrograde in the left anterior descending coronary artery in the anterior-posterior view. RVOT, Right ventricular outflow tract; RCA, right coronary artery; LAD, left anterior descending coronary artery.
      Indications for fistula closure included a significant left-to-right shunt, lifelong risk for systemic steal from the distal coronary artery territory, and potential for coronary artery thrombosis. Attempted transcatheter closure of the fistula resulted in device embolization due to the dynamic nature of the surrounding myocardium. Surgically establishing a 2-coronary artery system was deferred due to the fistula's intramyocardial course. The fistula exit point was successfully closed surgically through a pulmonary arteriotomy (Figure 4 and Videos 4 and 5).
      Figure thumbnail fx5
      Video 4Intraoperative video of the 3 intercoronary connections coalescing into a fistula and entering the right ventricular outflow tract. Video available at: http://www.jtcvsonline.org/article/S0022-5223(18)30395-7/fulltext.
      Figure thumbnail fx6
      Video 5Intraoperative video of the exit point of the fistula into the right ventricular outflow tract, observed via a pulmonary arteriotomy during an injection of cardioplegia solution into the aortic root. Video available at: http://www.jtcvsonline.org/article/S0022-5223(18)30395-7/fulltext.
      Figure thumbnail gr4
      Figure 4Intraoperative picture of the 3 intercoronary connections coalescing into a fistula that enters the RVOT (A) and the exit point of the fistula into the RVOT, observed via a pulmonary arteriotomy (B). RVOT, Right ventricular outflow tract.
      The authors thank Drs Richard Van Praagh and Robert Anderson for their assistance with interpreting the embryologic development of this patient's unique findings.

      Supplementary Data

      • Download .mp4 (2.62 MB)
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        Video 1

        Echocardiogram showing a color-compare clip of at least 1 large vessel coursing anteriorly and rightward in an oblique apical view. Video available at: http://www.jtcvsonline.org/article/S0022-5223(18)30395-7/fulltext.

      • Download .mp4 (3.87 MB)
        Help with .mp4 files
        Video 2

        Rotating virtual 3-dimensional reconstructed model. Video available at: http://www.jtcvsonline.org/article/S0022-5223(18)30395-7/fulltext.

      • Download .mp4 (1.53 MB)
        Help with .mp4 files
        Video 3

        Transcatheter angiogram performed retrograde in the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) in anteroposterior (left) and lateral (right) views during balloon occlusion of the proximal LAD. Video available at: http://www.jtcvsonline.org/article/S0022-5223(18)30395-7/fulltext.

      • Download .mp4 (2.42 MB)
        Help with .mp4 files
        Video 4

        Intraoperative video of the 3 intercoronary connections coalescing into a fistula and entering the right ventricular outflow tract. Video available at: http://www.jtcvsonline.org/article/S0022-5223(18)30395-7/fulltext.

      • Download .mp4 (3.9 MB)
        Help with .mp4 files
        Video 5

        Intraoperative video of the exit point of the fistula into the right ventricular outflow tract, observed via a pulmonary arteriotomy during an injection of cardioplegia solution into the aortic root. Video available at: http://www.jtcvsonline.org/article/S0022-5223(18)30395-7/fulltext.

      References

        • Chen S.J.
        • Lin M.T.
        • Lee W.J.
        • Liu K.L.
        • Wang J.K.
        • Chang C.I.
        • et al.
        Coronary artery anatomy in children with congenital heart disease by computed tomography.
        Int J Cardiol. 2007; 120: 363-370
        View in Article
        • Rathor A.L.
        • Gooch A.S.
        • Maranhao V.
        Survival through conus artery collateralization in severe coronary heart disease.
        Chest. 1973; 63: 840-843
        View in Article

      Article info

      Publication history

      Published online: February 17, 2018
      Accepted: February 11, 2018
      Received in revised form: January 27, 2018
      Received: January 5, 2018

      Footnotes

      Disclosures: Authors have nothing to disclose with regard to commercial support.

      Identification

      DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtcvs.2018.02.032

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      © 2018 by The American Association for Thoracic Surgery

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