Retrocardiac arteriovenous malformation causing recurrent cerebral ischemia

A 28-year-old woman had been suffering from recurrent cerebral embolization s for almost 9 years. A retrocardiac arteriovenous malformation was identif ied as the source of emboli. It was supplied by chest wall veins and the ri ght upper pulmonary vein, connected to the back wall of the left atrium and a possibly aberrant hepatic vein originating from the abdomen. The aneurys m was resected and all supplying veins ligated. The vein from below the dia phragm was implanted into the right atrium. Her postoperative course was un complicated. Long-term follow-up free from cerebrovascular events. (C) 2000 by The Society of Thoracic Surgeons.