Case Report: A Rare Case of Coronary-Bronchial Fistula Associated with a Large Lung Bullae and Bronchiectasis Presenting as Dyspnea

Abstract

Coronary artery fistulas (CAF) are rare but hemodynamically significant anomalies. Although asymptomatic, they can be associated with several cardiorespiratory conditions. Coronary to bronchial fistulas (CBF) account for 0.5% to 0.61% of coronary artery fistulas, with fistulas arising from the right coronary artery being exceedingly rare. These fistulas are known to be associated with bronchiectasis but not lung bullae. The following paper reports a rare case of a coronary to bronchial fistula associated to bronchiectasis and lung bullae. The patient presented for dyspnea and was found to have a large lung bullae, bronchiectasis and a coronary to bronchial artery fistula arising from the right coronary artery and terminating into the left bronchial artery. The CBF was successfully managed first with percutaneous microcoil embolization then the bullae was resected thoracoscopically three days later. However, more case reports are mandatory in order to further understand the etiology and pathophysiology of these fistulas, elucidate their relationship to other pathologies such as bronchiectasis and lung bullae and determine the optimal therapeutic measures.