Left ventricular outflow tract pulmonary artery fistula in endocarditis
Mizock, B.A.; Nachman, S.A.; Varquez, M.
Clinical Cardiology 18(9): 539-540
1995
ISSN/ISBN: 0160-9289 PMID: 7489613 DOI: 10.1002/clc.4960180912
Accession: 008950229
Patients with infective endocarditis are at risk for the development of a fistulous communication between chambers or great vessels of the heart. The presence of a continuous murmur may suggest the diagnosis. The first case of aortic valve endocarditis complicated by the development of a fistulous communication between the left ventricular outflow tract and the pulmonary artery is reported. Transesophageal Doppler echocardiography did not detect the defect preoperatively. However, pulmonary artery catheterization revealed very high mixed venous oxygen saturation which supported the presence of a left-to-right shunt.
