Case Report: Transcatheter closure of a giant post-traumatic femoral arteriovenous fistula using ventricular septal occluder

Abstract

Giant femoral arteriovenous fistulas are comparatively uncommon, typically treated through covered stents, coil embolization, and open surgical repair. Nevertheless, these options may not be appropriate for all patients. Herein, we describe a case of traumatic femoral arteriovenous fistulas that led to drastic dilatation of the femoral arteriovenous system and considerable heart failure symptoms due to prolonged lack of treatment. Given the intricate anatomical location of the fistula and the patient's severe cardiac dysfunction, surgical repair is often unfeasible. Consequently, we adopted an innovative approach in this case, utilizing a ventricular septal occluder device for fistula closure. This constitutes the first report of an arteriovenous fistula transcatheter closure with a septal occluder.

Keywords: arteriovenous fistula (AVF); traumatic arteriovenous fistula; vascular injury; vascular interventional therapy; ventricular septal occluder.