SUCCESSFUL PERCUTANEOUS TRANSCATHETER CLOSURE OF CORONARY ARTERY FISTULAS (CAFS)

Background-Coronary artery fistulas (CAFs) are vascular anomalies which in rare cases can cause hemodynamic problems with indication for intervention. Cogenital CAFs is a very rare malformation that may involve any or all coronary artery branches and any cardiac chamber. Elective closure of coronary artery fistulas by percutaneous transcatheter techniques is generally accepted in the presence of symptoms, but controversies exist in the management of asymptomatic patients. Methods-We described two patients: A 49 years old female developed episodes of increasing exertional chest pain and dyspenea over 3 years, another 32 years old was referred for coronary angiograph because of dyspenea on exertion with-increasing its severity since one year age. ResultsAlthough non invasive imaging may be helpful, we demonstrated that cardiac catheterization and coronary angiography is necessary for the precise delineation of coronary anatomy and CAF Conclusion-As mentioned above treatment is advocated for symptomatic patients and for those asymptomatic patients who are at risk for future complication. Form available data and our results Transcatheter closure (TCC) of coronary artery fistula (CAF) is an acceptable alternative to surgery in most patients(Iranian Heart Journal 2011; 12 (2):59-65).