CARDIAC-FAILURE DUE TO RENAL ARTERIOVENOU S-FISTULA 50 YEARS AFTER NEPHRECTOMY - A NEW CASE AND A REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE

Arterio-venous fistulae are rare after nephrectomy. They are the cause of congestive cardiac failure. This case report has two particulariti es: an exceptionally long interval, 50 years after nephrectomy, and a severe hypertension due to stenosis of the contra-lateral renal artery . Surgical treatment of these fistulae is essential and gives excellen t results with rapid regression of the signs of cardiac failure. Percu taneous embolization is an alternative in patients with a high surgica l risk. All previously reported cases are reviewed (n = 72) with their aetiological, clinical and therapeutic features.