Aortoventricular Fistula Secondary to Blunt Trauma

Abstract

An aorto-right ventricular fistula secondary to nonpenetrating trauma is described. Review of the literature is reported. Ascending aortic injuries present as either traumatic pseudoaneurysms or, less commonly, as aortocardiac fistulas. Blunt cardiac injury is a frequent concomitant injury and contributes to the high mortality of this lesion. Prompt surgical intervention is required for survival.

Role of Echocardiography in the Diagnosis of Aorto-Right Ventricular Fistula: A Rare Complication of Surgical Aortic Valve Replacement Successfully Closed by Bovine Pericardial Patch

“…AoRV fistulas develop at an area of surface contact between the aorta above the right coronary cusp and right ventricular outflow tract. 1 They have been reported with penetrating chest injury, 1 blunt cardiac injury, 2 infective endocarditis, 3 aortic dissection, 4 and rupture of congenital sinus of Valsalva aneurysms. 5 The incidence of AoRV fistula is difficult to estimate, but was reported to be <0.5% in a series of 310 patients.…”