LEFT-VENTRICULAR OUTFLOW TRACT PULMONARY-ARTERY FISTULA IN ENDOCARDITIS

Patients with infective endocarditis are at risk for the development o f a fistulous communication between chambers great vessels of the hear t. 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 tra ct and the pulmonary artery is reported. Transesophageal Doppler echoc ardiography did not detect the defect preoperatively. However, pulmona ry artery catheterization revealed very high mixed venous oxygen satur ation which supported the presence of a left-to-right shunt.