An Unusual Case of an Acquired Aortopulmonary Fistula after Surgical Replacement of a Bicuspid Aortic Valve

Abstract

Aortopulmonary fistulas are extremely rare and often occur as a result of long-standing aortic aneurysms. They are most frequently due to the erosion of a false aneurysm of the ascending or descending thoracic aorta into the pulmonary artery. Patients generally present with symptoms of acute decompensated heart failure due to a sudden formation of a left-to-right shunt. Here, we present the case of a 63-year-old male who acquired an aortopulmonary fistula four months after undergoing successful bioprosthetic aortic valve replacement.

A rare case report of an acquired aortopulmonary artery fistula after Bentall procedure: multimodality imaging approach may be the key?

“…However, the majority of aortopulmonary fistula (APF) cases has been diagnosed post-mortem and extremely rarely in patients who are still alive. 4 Thus, the diagnosis of this entity can be challenging, and a combination of newer multimodality techniques such as computed tomography angiography can help overcome the limitations of traditional imaging modalities like echocardiography, assisting in the assessment of such complex cases. In the following case report, we discuss the rare occurrence of an APF formation following a previous mechanic Bentall procedure for aortic root replacement.…”