Congenital coronary artery fistula: Presentation in the neonatal period and transcatheter closure

3D Printed Model-Guided Neonatal Transcatheter Closure of Left Main Coronary Artery-to-Right Ventricle Fistula

We report on a 2-week-old infant with huge left main coronary artery-to-right ventricular outflow tract fistula causing myocardial ischemia due to global coronary steal who was successfully submitted to percutaneous closure guided by a 3-dimensional-printed model using a duct-occluder vascular plug. (Level of Difficulty: Advanced.).

A Phenotype and Genotype Case Report of a Neonate With Congenital Bilateral Coronary Artery Fistulas and Multiple Collateral Arteries

We report a unique case of an 18-day-old girl with three coronary artery fistulas to the right atrium and right ventricle, respectively: three collateral arteries arising from the descending aorta and one from the right subclavian artery draining through a sac to the top of the right atrium, patent ductus arteriosus, and atrial septal defect. She presented symptoms of acute congestive heart failure. Cardiac catheterization and surgical interventions were performed to repair the defects. The patient recovered uneventfully and grew up well at 3 years of follow-up. Whole-genome sequencing (WES) in the patient, compared to her parents, showed 17 variants within 11 genes. Among these, only compound heterozygous mutation, c.T470G (p.L157R) and c.A1622G (p.D541G), in the DRC1 gene have been reportedly related to congenital heart disease and are the most likely causative in our patient.

A rare cause of ischemic heart failure in a neonate

Herein, we present a case of ischemic heart failure that occurred immediately after birth in a neonate due to coronary artery fistula (CAF) from the left main coronary artery to the left atrial appendage associated with high pulmonary artery pressure. Ischemic heart failure in a neonate with a structurally normal heart is rare. Furthermore, CAF resulting in ischemic heart failure is very rare in neonates. We believe that the small CAF caused symptoms during the first few days of life due to moderate pulmonary hypertension which resulted in a low cardiac output. The coronary perfusion improved after the normalization of the pulmonary blood pressure and improvement of the cardiac output. Echocardiography is helpful when a CAF is suspected and can be confirmed using a cardiac computed tomography scan. Small CAFs are unlikely to cause symptoms in infants, provided there are no other factors affecting the cardiac output status.

Embolization of vascular abnormalities in children with congenital heart diseases using medtronic micro vascular plugs

This study aimed at evaluating our experience with Micro Vascular Plug (MVP) for embolization of vascular abnormalities in children with congenital heart diseases (CHDs). MVP is one of the most recent additions to the armamentarium for peripheral embolization. Data on its use in congenital cardiology are scarce. Medical records of children with CHDs who had embolizations with MVPs between April 2015 and September 2020 were reviewed. Immediate and follow-up data were assessed. A total of 153 patients underwent 172 procedures during which 240 embolizations using 259 MVPs were attempted. Median age and weight were 34.9 months (IQR, 4-75 months) and 12.5 kg (IQR, 4.8-19.4 kg), respectively. Targets were abnormal systemic arteries (n = 163), patent arterial ducts (n = 26), venous (n = 45), and coronary-cameral fistulas (n = 6). Median vessel diameter was 3.3 mm (IQR, 2.5-4 mm). Veins were larger than arteries (2.3 mm > 2.1 mm, p < 0.01). MVPs were implanted in narrower diameters compared to manufacturer's recommendations. Compared to veins, solitary implanted MVPs in arteries were additionally oversized at 12.4%, 5.1%, and 7.9% for MVP-3Q, 5Q, and 7Q, respectively. Additional occlusion material (16.7%) and 2 MVPs (5.8%) were needed at the same site for complete closure. Implantation and procedure success rates were 99.2% and 96.7%, respectively. Five complications were treated percutaneously (n = 4) and surgically (n = 1). Efficacy of vascular embolization using MVPs was demonstrated in the largest cohort of children with CHDs and a variety of clinical settings. Immediate and stable closure is obtained with a single device in most cases. Detailed device selection chart according to vessel type and diameter is proposed to achieve intended outcomes.

Transcatheter Occlusion of a Giant Coronary Artery Fistula in a Neonate

BACKGROUND Although large coronary artery fistulas are uncommon; they lead to substantial over-circulation in the pulmonary vascular beds and left heart system. Fistula occlusions are achieved via surgical or transcatheter technique; however, reports on successful outcomes of transcatheter treatment during the neonatal period are limited. CASE REPORT A female infant was born at the gestational age of 37 weeks with a birth weight of 2615 grams via normal vaginal delivery. Cardiac auscultation revealed a loud continuous murmur emanating from the fourth right intercostal space. A right coronary artery-to-right ventricle fistula was confirmed using transthoracic echocardiography. The newborn developed respiratory distress 3 days after birth and was administered continuous positive airway pressure to assist breathing. On day 8, the ventilator was used through tracheal intubation due to gradual worsening of dyspnea. A 6-mm Amplatzer Vascular Plug 4 (AGA Medical Corporation, Plymouth, MN) was chosen, as the minimum diameter of the coronary artery fistula was 5 mm. In view of the risk of myocardial ischemia with additional devices, the procedure was stopped despite persistent shunting. The newborn's clinical condition significantly improved following the procedure and she was eventually weaned off ventilator support. CONCLUSIONS A self-expanding occlusion device was useful for relieving this life-threatening condition. Complete elimination of shunting is not always necessary, to avoid compromising myocardial circulation.

Congenital Coronary Artery-to-Pulmonary Artery Fistula with Anomalous Origin of Right Coronary Artery from Pulmonary Artery: A Case of "Double Trouble"

Congenital coronary artery fistula is a rare coronary anomaly. Its clinical significance focuses mainly on the mechanism of coronary steal phenomenon. A combination of left main (LM) coronary artery-to-main pulmonary artery (MPA) fistula with anomalous origin of right coronary artery from the pulmonary artery (ARCAPA) was encountered in a 3-month-old infant who presented with tachypnea. Evaluation with echocardiography and CT confirmed the diagnosis. The patient underwent surgical ligation of LM-to-MPA fistula with direct reimplantation of ARCAPA to aortic root. Keywords: Pediatrics, CT, CT-Angiography, Echocardiography © RSNA, 2021.

Congenital coronary artery fistula in pediatric patients: transcatheter versus surgical closure

OBJECTIVES

Transcatheter closure (TCC) and surgical closure (SC) are the two main approaches for congenital coronary artery fistula (CCAF), but data on the comparisons of the efficacy and safety of these two approaches are limited.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed pediatric patients with CCAF in Guangdong Cardiovascular Institute between January 2002 and December 2017. Patients who were qualified into our criteria were included into final analysis. The rate of successful closure and complications during hospitalization and at follow-up were compared between SC and TCC groups.

RESULTS

In total, 121 pediatric patients (male, n = 69; female, n = 52) with CCAF were divided to TCC (n = 63) and SC groups (n = 58) according to the indications. The mean age was 5.3 ± 1.4 years. The baseline characteristics of these two groups were similar except for the fistula anatomic feature. After adjusted for the fistula anatomy, compared to SC, TCC was associated with higher risk of major complications (p = 0.013). Proportions of patients requiring blood transfusion and intra-operative blood loss were higher in SC versus TCC groups, as were longer duration of hospital and ICU stay during hospitalization. In contrast, myocardial ischemia (10.2% vs 0.0%, p = 0.028), residual shunts (16.9% vs 3.6%, p = 0.045) and new-onset moderate-to-severe valve regurgitation (11.9% vs 0.0%, p = 0.013) were higher in TCC group versus SC groups during follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

TCC has less invasive and faster recovery. However, SC had a higher successful rate and lower risk of major complications in pediatric patients.