Introduction:

Coronary fistula is defined as a connection between a coronary artery and a cardiac chamber or any segment of the systemic or pulmonary circulation. Its incidence in angiographic series and general population is very low. In general, they are asymptomatic, and rarely show hemodynamic significance. They are typically found in the right cavities, and their location in the left cavities is less frequent.

Case description:

52-year-old male patient who presents with angina of effort, for which invasive stratification was performed. A coronary cameral fistula was found in the anterior descending artery to the left ventricle. Cardiac nuclear magnetic resonance was requested as a complementary study, in order to determine future therapeutic actions, but the patient failed to attend follow-up consultations.

Discussion:

Coronary fistulas that cause coronary artery disease are rare and the drainage of a coronary fistula to the left ventricle is even more uncommon. The pathophysiological importance of a coronary fistula is related to the volume of blood flowing and the pressure gradient through communication. Most coronary fistulas are diagnosed incidentally in cardiac catheterization. Fistulas with clinical and symptomatic significance require short-term treatment.

Conclusions:

In some cases, initial complementary tests in patients with clinical signs of myocardial ischemia, performed in a non-invasive manner, allow suspecting the presence of coronary fistulas. Coronary angiography continues to be the most accurate diagnostic test. Anatomical and physiological characteristics should be considered to determine if management is required and whether it will be done percutaneously or surgically.

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