Case report. Multiple Mediastinal Arteriovenous Fistulas in a Patient with Myocardial Ischemia Symptoms and Tachy-Brady Arrhythmias

Abstract

Arteriovenous fistulas are abnormal vascular communications between the arterial and venous system and may lead to the development of arteriovenous shunts. These malformations are extremely rare, and their diagnosis can be difficult due to the lack of symptoms or the absence of hemodynamic consequences. In many cases, arteriovenous fistulas are discovered by chance. In this brief report, we present the case of a 31-year-old male with symptoms suggestive of angina pectoris, tachycardia-bradycardia syndrome and multiple episodes of syncope. Multi-slice computed tomography revealed the presence of multiple mediastinal fistulas connecting the aorta, superior vena cava, pulmonary veins and azygos system.