Abstract
We report a 71 year-old female with a history of rheumatic valvulopathy, who underwent St. Jude 23 and St. Jude 21 in mitral and aortic position replacement.
The patient was admitted to the ER for pulmonary edema with haemoglobin level of 7.7 g/dL .No evidence of gastrointestinal bleeding. She was assessed to exclude intravascular hemolysis: bilirrubin 3.1mg/d,L direct bilirrubin 1.0 mg/dL, reticulocytes 207.000/mcL 6.8%, LDH 1.213, free plasmatic haemoglobin 9.6mg/dL, haptoglobin < 1 mg/dL, negative direct and indirect Coombs.
Upon suspicion of hemolytic anemia in relation to prosthetic dysfunction, TEE was performed revealing stenotic mechanical aortic prosthesis with abundant pannus and normofunctional mitral prosthesis, no leakages were observed. A coronary CT scan showed severe calcification of the aortic root and mitral annulus without evidence of redundant tissue than hindered the opening of the aortic or mitral valves. Cardiac catheterization revealed normal coronary arteries, cardiac output preserved and mild passive predominance of PAP. Heart Team decided on aortic prosthesis valve replacement.
On March 22, 2019 surgery was performed. There was a heavily calcified ascending aorta and aortic root with abundant pannus at the ventricular aspect of the aortic prosthesis. Former aortic prosthesis was resected and the root reconstructed with a pericardial patch. 18-mmATS mechanical aortic prosthesis was implanted. After 127minutes of cross-clamping time, the patient was admitted to the ICU. She presented a torpid course in the postoperative period after cardiac surgery and cardiogenic shock ensued.
TEE was repeated, showing pseudoaneurysm of the mitral–aortic intervalvular fibrosa, left atrium dissection and severe paraprosthetic aortic leakage. Coronary CT scan revealed a large cavity, 7x4x3.5 cm, extending posteriorly and displacing cranially the right pulmonary artery and subsequently rejecting the cavity of left atrium; with final diagnosis of aorto-left atrial fistula with left atrium dissection. Emergent surgery was decided. During the procedure, mitral–aortic intervalvular fibrosa pseudoaneurysm was confirmed, perforation from the subaortic left ventricle into the left atrium was also appreciated at the junction of the aortic root pericardial patch with the dissected left atrium wall. Surgery was complicated with hemorrhagic shock and massive uncontrolled bleeding with severe coagulopathy and thrombocytopenia. The patient went into cardiac arrest and passed away in the operating room.
Conclusion
Aorto atrial fistulas are rare but important complications of many disease processes of the aorta and aortic valve. Classical clinical signs of continuous murmurs may not be present and echocardiography forms the cornerstone of diagnosis. AAF should be suspected in patients with poorly controlled heart failure and prior aortic surgery. Prompt surgical repair is usually helpful in relieving symptoms and decreasing mortality.
Abstract P1716 Figure. Aortoatrial fistula
How to Control Subannular Hemorrhage during Aortic Root Enlarging Procedures
