Coronary artery changes in congenital coronary-cameral fistulas evaluated by computed tomographic angiography

Jpn J Radiol. 2021 Dec;39(12):1149-1158. doi: 10.1007/s11604-021-01164-y. Epub 2021 Jun 28.

Abstract

Purpose: The study sought to determine coronary artery diameter in congenital coronary-cameral fistula (cCCF), factors associated with coronary artery aneurysm, coronary artery changes after fistula closure, and computed tomographic (CT) findings after treatment.

Materials and methods: We retrospectively reviewed CT findings of the cCCF for origins, terminations, fistula length, complexities, and Sakakibara classification. Coronary artery diameter was expressed as coronary artery Z score. Fistula features associated with coronary artery aneurysm were analyzed. Post-fistula closures were analyzed for coronary artery dilatation, coronary thrombosis, complete fistula closure, and fistula thrombosis.

Results: Twenty-five patients (median age 33 months, interquartile range, IQR 25-48) were included. Coronary feeders and terminations were frequently right coronary artery (48%) and right ventricle (56%), respectively. Fistula aneurysm occurred in 52% of cases. Mean coronary artery Z score was 13.03 ± 6.36 with a high incidence of giant coronary artery aneurysm (68%). We found no statistically significant risk factors associated with coronary artery aneurysm (p value range 0.075-0.370). Median duration of the follow-up CT after closure of the fistulas was 6.4 months (IQR 5.0-8.7). Coronary artery Z score significantly decreased by 0.82 (IQR 0.28-1.35), p = 0.006 and coronary thrombosis occurred in 23% of cases during follow-up.

Conclusions: Large coronary aneurysm is common in cCCF. No characteristic feature of the fistula influencing coronary artery aneurysm is identified. There is a diminution in coronary artery Z score after fistula closure. Coronary thrombosis is a major complication after treatment.

Keywords: CT coronary angiography; Congenital coronary-cameral fistula; Coronary aneurysm; Surgical closure; Transcatheter closure.

MeSH terms

  • Angiography
  • Child, Preschool
  • Coronary Angiography
  • Coronary Vessel Anomalies* / diagnostic imaging
  • Humans
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Vascular Fistula* / diagnostic imaging