TRANSESOPHAGEAL ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY ON THE PRESURGICAL AND POSTSURGICAL EVALUATION OF A CORONARY ARTERIOVENOUS-FISTULA

A 52-year-old man with a symptomatic condition--a huge left coronary a rtery fistula simulating a cor triatriatum sinister on transthoracic e chocardiography--was referred to our center for surgery. Coronary angi ography unequivocally established the diagnosis of a left coronary art ery fistula and contrast opacification of the right atrium was observe d. However, as a result of the size the fistula, the entry site could not be defined was certainty. A transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) was then performed, and the opening site was clearly identified in th e postero-lateral wall of the right atrium. After the surgical treatme nt transesophageal echocardiography was repeated, and it was confirmed that the surgical treatment had succeeded.