Fistula occlusion and ligation for a giant right coronary artery aneurysm concurrent with right atrial fistula: a case report

Abstract

BackgroundCoronary artery aneurysms in most cases require surgical treatment once diagnosed. Lifelong anticoagulation is often needed after surgery. We herein describe a 55-year-old man who was asymptomatic and diagnosed with right giant coronary artery aneurysm combined with right atrial fistula.Case presentationThis is a case of asymptomatic giant right coronary artery aneurysm concurrent with coronary artery fistula. Because the aneurysm was in the distal right posterior descending coronary artery, right coronary artery ligation and fistula occlusion through the right atrium were performed in the absence of cardiopulmonary bypass. The aneurysm was excluded without impacting the myocardial blood supply, and the patient was exempted from lifelong anticoagulation regimen. The follow-up revealed favorable outcomes and the patient’s life expectancy was improved.ConclusionDecompression and exclusion without cardiopulmonary bypass can be adopted for distal coronary artery aneurysms that do not involve or only have a limited impact on distal blood supply. This procedure can exempt the patient from the lifelong anticoagulation regimen. In addition, the risk for myocardial ischemia caused by the thrombus in the aneurysm can also be avoided. The whole procedure is comparatively easy to perform.