Transcatheter coil embolization of coronary artery fistula

Between December 1982 and August 2001, coil embolization of coronary artery-to-cardiac chamber fistula was attempted in 15 patients aged 11 months to 44 years (mean, 7.2 +/- 2.5 years). The fistulae connected the left anterior descending artery to the right ventricle in 4 patients, the right coronary artery to the right ventricle in 3, the right coronary artery to the right atrium in 3, the circumflex artery to the right ventricle in 2, the circumflex artery to the right atrium in 2, and the right coronary artery to the trunk of the pulmonary artery in 1. Complete fistula occlusion was achieved in 14 patients (93%); one had a residual shunt and underwent repeat embolization one year later, resulting in complete occlusion. There was one early death (7%) in a 4-year-old girl who developed femoral artery thrombosis and acute renal failure. Complications comprised migration of the coil into the pulmonary artery (2), femoral artery thrombosis (2), and perforation of the vessel wall by the guidewire (1) with immediate thrombosis and occlusion of the fistula (no coil was deployed). The 13 survivors with coils were followed up for 0.5 to 13 years; complete occlusion of the fistula was confirmed in all cases.