Coronary artery fistula is an abnormal connection between one of the coronary arteries and a heart chamber or another blood vessel. The coronary arteries are blood vessels that bring oxygen-rich blood to the heart.
Fistula means abnormal connection.
Causes, incidence, and risk factorsA coronary artery fistula is often congenital, meaning that it is present at birth. It generally occurs when one of the coronary arteries fails to form properly, usually when the baby is developing in the womb. The coronary artery abnormally attaches to one of the chambers of the heart (the atrium or ventricle) or another blood vessel (for example, the pulmonary artery).
A coronary artery fistula can also develop after birth. It may be caused by:
Coronary artery fistula is a rare condition. Infants who are born with it sometimes also have other heart defects.
SymptomsInfants with this condition usually don't have any symptoms.
If symptoms do occur, they can include:
This condition is usually not diagnosed until later in life. It is usually diagnosed during tests for other Heart diseases. However, the doctor may hear a heart murmur that will lead to the diagnosis with further testing.
Tests to determine the size of the fistula include:
A small fistula that is not causing symptoms usually will not need treatment. Some small fistulas will close on their own. Often even if they do not close, they will never cause symptoms or need treatment.
Infants with a larger fistula will need to have surgery to close the abnormal connection. The surgeon closes the site with a patch or stitches.
Another treatment plugs up the opening without surgery, using a special wire (coil) that is inserted into the heart with a long, thin tube called a catheter. After the procedure, the fistula will usually close in children.
Expectations (prognosis)Children who have surgery usually do well, although a small percentage may need to have surgery again. Most people with this condition have a normal lifespan.
ComplicationsComplications are more common in older patients.
Calling your health care providerCoronary artery fistula is usually diagnosed during a doctor's exam. Call your health care provider if your infant has symptoms of this condition.
PreventionThere is no known way to prevent this condition.
ReferencesPark MK. Park: Pediatric Cardiology for Practitioners. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Mosby; 2008.
Reviewed ByReview Date: 02/07/2012
Neil K. Kaneshiro, MD, MHA, Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine; and Michael A. Chen, MD, PhD, Assistant Professor of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, Harborview Medical Center, University of Washington Medical School, Seattle, Washington. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
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No. The coronary arteries are not the largest arteries. The aorta is the largest artery.
The coronary sinus runs in the posterior coronary sulcus. In the anterior coronary sulci the stems of the coronary artery run. The circumflex branch of the left and the extension of the right coronary artery that becomes the posterior descending artery run around the coronary sulcus from front to back
Left coronary artery
The right coronary artery doesnot have a primary bifurcation.
CABG (Coronary Artery Bypass Graft)
left coronary artery
The coronary artery carries oxygenated blood to the heart.
Coronary artery chronic total occlusion or CTO is a partial or total blockage of a coronary artery for a month or beyond. Coronary CTO is often caused by an accumulation of atherosclerotic plaque within the artery.
Which coronary artery is most likely occluded
Coronary artery