ReviewPercutaneous closure of a giant coronary artery fistula after surgical pericardiectomy. Review of the literature

- Coronary artery fistulae in adults are a rare finding.
- Coronary artery fistulae can be consequence of previous cardiac surgery.
- Transcatheter closure is a feasible and effective alternative therapy.
- The “wire-maintaining technique” for percutaneous closure of fistulae is suggested.

Coronary artery fistulae (CAF) are uncommon heart defects defined as a communication between a coronary artery and a cardiac chamber or vascular structure. They are frequently asymptomatic; nevertheless, they can produce angina, dyspnea or cardiac failure. CAF are believed to be congenital; however, isolated cases of CAF have been described as rare complications of cardiac surgery. We report the percutaneous closure of a giant CAF in an adult patient with angina and previous pericardiectomy.