Left Atrial Appendage Enlarged by Coronary Artery Fistula after Surgical Closure of Appendage

Abstract

Two years previously, a 73-year-old man with mitral regurgitation underwent mitral annuloplasty and left atrial appendage (LAA) exclusion by suturing the orifice from the endocardium. However, the mitral regurgitation became exacerbated, and the left atrium enlarged rapidly over a 6-month period. Computed tomography showed a heterogenic mass in the LAA, and coronary angiography revealed a coronary artery–LAA fistula. Reoperation revealed a thrombus filling the appendage and two small orifices of the coronary artery–LAA fistula located in the endocardium of the appendage. We excised the LAA and closed these fistula orifices concomitant with mitral valve replacement.

Keywords

cardiovascular surgery - arrhythmia therapy - surgery - complications

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