Received 24 October 2015; accepted 25 March 2016; published 29 March 2016

ABSTRACT

Aorto-pulmonary artery fistula is a rare and lethal occurrence after thoracic surgery and aortic aneurysms. Here we present a rare occurrence of acute aorto-pulmonary artery fistula in outpatient department in a follow up patient of aortic valve replacement and discuss challenges faced in diagnosis, etiopathogenesis and management.

Keywords:

Aorto-Pulmonary Fistula, Aortic Valve Replacement, Rare, Complications

1. Introduction

An acquired aorto-pulmonary artery fistula is essentially a rare condition with very low chances of survival. It presents with an acute onset with rapid deterioration. Here we present the case of a 42-year-old male patient who is a follow up case of aortic valve replacement presenting with sudden onset aorto-pulmonary fistula on his follow up visit after a month.

2. Case Report

A 42-year male was diagnosed with bicuspid aortic valve with severe AS at GIPMER hospital New Delhi. The gradient across the aortic valve was 100 mm Hg and the coronary angiography was within normal limits. Patients underwent aortic valve replacement size 18 ATS. The post operative course was uneventful and patient was discharged on day 10 post op. The first follow up was conducted on the 14th day post operatively and was found to be uneventful. The patient was called for the 2nd follow 1 month post operatively. While waiting for his turn in the outpatient department he developed sudden onset dypnea and tachycardia. There was no history of fever. Sudden onset dyspnea was NYHA grade 4. A systolic blood pressure of 84 mm/HG and diastolic of 60 mm/Hg was recorded. The heart was recorded as 144 b.p.m. On auscultation a systolic murmur was heard in aortic area and there was a loss of valve click. In view of hemodynamic instability and examination findings patient was immediately shifted to ICU with a provisional diagnosis of stuck aortic valve or aortic dissection. The transthoracic echocardiography findings were suggestive of increased gradient across aortic valve and decreased movement of the valve leaflets. There was no evidence dissection flap. The arterial blood gas revealed metabolic acidosis due to decreased peripheral perfusion. Fluoroscopy done showed normal disc movements. Hence the diagnosis was changed to acute coronary event with left ventricular failure and pulmonary edema. Patient was treated with diuretics and ionotropes. The acute coronary event was not substantiated by enzymes and patient condition kept on deteriorating. Endo tracheal intubation was done on day one of admission and patient put on ventilator support. To ascertain the diagnosis TEE was done which showed suspicion of stuck leaflet with turbulence in aorta and pulmonary artery. Because of poor hemodynamics at that moment the gradient could not be assessed.

In view of poor hemodynamic and suspicion of stuck leaflet patient was taken for emergency redo aortic valve replacement. Patient was put on femoro-femoral bypass electively and chest was opened. After adhesiolysis aorta and pulmonary artery were exposed. PA was tense with palpable thrill over PA. There was no evidence of any aneurysm. After dissecting plane between aorta and pulmonary artery, aorta was cross clamped and aortotomy was done. Cardioplegia was given through coronary ostia.

Both valve leaflets were freely mobile and there was no evidence of vegetation, thrombus or pannus. To our surprise a communication between the aorta and pulmonary artery was seen just 2 cm above the commissure of RCC and LCC (Figure 1). The margins of the communication were rugged and irregular with friable tissues. Pulmonary artery was opened and communication probed. There was no evidence of vegetation in pulmonary artery as well. The defect was freshened and closed with 4-o polypropylene interrupted sutures using PTFE patch from the pulmonary side. The pulmonary artery and aorta were closed, de airing was done and patient was gradually weaned off by pass. The patient was shifted to ICU with borderline hemodynamic state with ionotropic support. Unfortunately the patient deteriorated and died on post operative day 1 in spite of both inotropic and IABP support. The immediate underlying cause of death was low cardiac output syndrome.

The relatives did not consent for the autopsy of the patient. The culture report of the margin of the fistula showed no bacterial or fungal growth.

3. Discussion

The most common postulated causes of an aorto-pulmonary artery fistula are iatrogenic (thoracic aortic surgery), ruptured aortic arch aneurysms (often caused due to atherosclerosis and connective tissue disorders), and chronic infectious processes of the aorta or lung. More recently cases are related to surgical or endovascular procedures of the thoracic aorta [1] . If the presentation of the aorto-pulmonary artery fistula was chronic, we would expect to see signs and symptoms of pulmonary hypertension and congestive heart failure [2] . This would be carefully planned and managed between the cardiothoracic and vascular surgeons as well as interventional radiologists [3] - [7] .

The presentation is extremely rare and usually diagnosed on post mortem due to the sudden onset and highly lethal nature of the condition [8] .

In the present case we hypothesize following three possible causes. Firstly because of the knots of polypropylene suture at the level of commisures could erode the aorta when AVR is done via continuous sutures (Figure 2). We are using continuous suturing technique with 3 polypropylene sutures (one for each cusp) for past 20 years and no such case has been reported if so. Secondly use of cautery for dissecting plane between aorta and pulmonary artery could have led to thermal injury of the walls leading to weakening, necrosis and fistula formation later on. The third possibility may be an underlying infective pathology over the suture line which is very unlikely in this case as there was no history of fever absence of vegetation and negative culture reports.

There are challenges inherent to the diagnosis and management of this condition even in a tertiary care setting. The symptoms mimic that of stuck aortic valve. The onset is almost entirely sudden and abrupt and a high index of suspicion is required for its prompt diagnosis by CT angiography and echocardiography [9] . Our case received a chance at diagnoses and management because of patient being in a tertiary care set up at the time of onset of symptoms. If this life threatening condition occurs outside of the hospital settings chances of survival remain meager.

There are several limitations to our analysis of the case report. Firstly the relatives of the patient did not consent to an autopsy. Identification of vegetations in the pulmonary or systemic circulation would have supported our hypothesis for an infective pathology although post operative blood cultures also showed no growth. In management, to prolong survival patient could have been supported with ECMO however the facility was not available in our settings.

4. Conclusion

We report an exceedingly rare phenomenon of an aorto-pulmonary artery fistula in a follow-up case of post aortic valve replacement. We postulated this was due to infective or iatrogenic cause which involved the aorta and

the main pulmonary artery. This case highlights the difficulty in prompt and accurate diagnosis preoperatively and acute management of the condition. Also we could not establish the cause of its occurrence. Further case series on this condition are essential to understand management strategies and chances of survival as well as to hypothesize the etiology.

Cite this paper

Tarun Raina Ramman,Shyamveer Khangarot,Sunil Kumar,M. A. Geelani,D. K. Satsangi, (2016) Aorto-Pulmonary Artery Fistula Following Aortic Valve Replacement: A Diagnostic Dilemma. World Journal of Cardiovascular Surgery,06,40-43. doi: 10.4236/wjcs.2016.63007

References

NOTES

^*Corresponding author.