Cardiocutaneous fistula 15 years postcardiac surgery: A real challenge

Abstract

Late Cardiocutaneous Fistula (CF) is an uncommon but potentially serious postoperative complication of cardiac surgery. We present the successful treatment of a 58-year-old female who developed a CF extending from the left ventricular apex into the left breast related to mitral valve replacement 15 years ago. K E Y W O R D S cardiac surgery, cardiocutaneous fistula, late postoperative complications, mitral valve replacement, teflon pledgets

Cardiocutaneous fistula secondary to left ventricular pseudo-aneurysm rupture

“…During redo-sternotomy and dissection of mediastinal adhesion to surrounding tissue, massive bleeding develop in 0.08% of subjects from a tear of the right atrial wall, free wall of the right ventricle or left ventricle. 1 Sternal infection is a serious problem that occurs after cardiac surgery at the rate of 1% to 4%. 2 Treatment is always done in the operating room with low complication rate; however, life-threatening bleeding can occur after infection.…”