[Correction of left coronary artery to pulmonary artery fistula on the occasion of pulmonary embolectomy (author's transl)].

Abstract

In a 42 year old woman a left coronary artery to pulmonary artery fistula was proved by catheterization and coronary angiography. During this investigations a right femoral hernia became symptomatic, and surgical correction was carried out. Three days postoperatively a massive pulmonary embolism occurred causing shock and fibrillation of the heart. After intubation the patient was brought to the operating theatre under external massage, and a pulmonary embolectomy using ECC was performed. The fistula in the main pulmonary artery was closed by suture. The vascular convolute was left in place. A primarily additional ligature of the fistula artery at the starting point was reopened because of a failing right ventricle under the assumption of a possible partial vascular supply of the right ventricular myocardium which could not be proved.