Electrocardiographic findings of Wellens syndrome due to coronary artery-pulmonary artery fistula

J Int Med Res. 2020 May;48(5):300060520911495. doi: 10.1177/0300060520911495.

Abstract

A coronary artery fistula (CAF) is an abnormal connection between a coronary artery and any of the four cardiac chambers, the large vessels, or other vascular structures. Wellens syndrome is an ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction equivalent. Although both Wellens syndrome and CAFs have been reported in the literature, they have rarely been reported in the same patient. We herein report a case clinically diagnosed as Wellens syndrome by electrocardiography (ECG) findings; coronary angiography subsequently showed a fistula originating from the left anterior descending artery and draining into the pulmonary artery. The ECG findings then returned to normal after the fistula had been closed by controlled-release coils. These events confirmed that the abnormal ECG findings of Wellens syndrome were due to the CAF.

Keywords: Coronary artery fistula; ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction equivalent; Wellens syndrome; case report; coronary angiography; electrocardiography.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Angina, Unstable / diagnosis*
  • Angina, Unstable / etiology
  • Angina, Unstable / surgery
  • Arterio-Arterial Fistula / complications
  • Arterio-Arterial Fistula / diagnosis*
  • Arterio-Arterial Fistula / surgery
  • Coronary Angiography
  • Coronary Stenosis / diagnosis*
  • Coronary Stenosis / etiology
  • Coronary Stenosis / surgery
  • Coronary Vessel Anomalies / complications
  • Coronary Vessel Anomalies / diagnosis*
  • Coronary Vessel Anomalies / surgery
  • Coronary Vessels / diagnostic imaging
  • Electrocardiography
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Pulmonary Artery / abnormalities*
  • Pulmonary Artery / diagnostic imaging
  • Pulmonary Artery / surgery
  • Syndrome
  • Treatment Outcome