Left main coronary artery–Pulmonary trunk fistula incidentally detected during acute coronary infarction: Complementary roles of coronary angiography and CCTA

Coronary artery fistulas (CAFs) are rare vascular anomalies, and fistulas originating from the left main coronary artery (LMCA) are particularly uncommon. A 63-year-old woman with hypertension and obesity presented with acute anterior myocardial infarction and left ventricular systolic dysfunction. Coronary angiography incidentally identified a tortuous vascular tract arising from the proximal LMCA, but couldn’t define its drainage site. Coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) demonstrated a 3.9 cm fistulous tract with an origin and maximal diameter of 6 mm, coursing anteriorly and to the right of the pulmonary trunk before draining into it. No focal aneurysmal dilatation, mural thrombus, calcification, or secondary branches were identified. The pulmonary trunk measured 29 mm, the right-sided cardiac chambers were not dilated, and transthoracic echocardiography showed no noninvasive evidence of a large hemodynamically significant left-to-right shunt or right-sided volume overload. Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) was performed for the culprit left anterior descending lesion, after which the symptoms resolved. The clinical course favored the LAD lesion as the dominant cause of ischemia, although a contributory fistula-related steal phenomenon was not formally assessed. Following discussion among several cardiovascular experts, conservative clinical and echocardiographic surveillance was selected. This case highlights the complementary roles of coronary angiography and CCTA in defining fistula anatomy and supporting individualized management and follow-up planning.

Authors

Institutions

Publication Details

Journal
Radiology Case Reports
Published
2026-10-14
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.radcr.2026.09.068
Primary Topic
Coronary Artery Anomalies
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00
Controls
|||
ALL TIME
JAN
FEB
MAR
APR
MAY
JUN
JUL
AUG
SEP
OCT
article

Left main coronary artery–Pulmonary trunk fistula incidentally detected during acute coronary infarction: Complementary roles of coronary angiography and CCTA

Soumia Boulouiz, Noha El Ouafi, Nabila Ismaili, Hossam-Eddine Ejjebli et al.
Radiology Case Reports
Coronary Artery Anomalies
article

Left main coronary artery–Pulmonary trunk fistula incidentally detected during acute coronary infarction: Complementary roles of coronary angiography and CCTA

Soumia Boulouiz, Noha El Ouafi, Nabila Ismaili, Hossam-Eddine Ejjebli, Zakaria Bazid
article en

Abstract

Coronary artery fistulas (CAFs) are rare vascular anomalies, and fistulas originating from the left main coronary artery (LMCA) are particularly uncommon. A 63-year-old woman with hypertension and obesity presented with acute anterior myocardial infarction and left ventricular systolic dysfunction. Coronary angiography incidentally identified a tortuous vascular tract arising from the proximal LMCA, but couldn’t define its drainage site. Coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) demonstrated a 3.9 cm fistulous tract with an origin and maximal diameter of 6 mm, coursing anteriorly and to the right of the pulmonary trunk before draining into it. No focal aneurysmal dilatation, mural thrombus, calcification, or secondary branches were identified. The pulmonary trunk measured 29 mm, the right-sided cardiac chambers were not dilated, and transthoracic echocardiography showed no noninvasive evidence of a large hemodynamically significant left-to-right shunt or right-sided volume overload. Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) was performed for the culprit left anterior descending lesion, after which the symptoms resolved. The clinical course favored the LAD lesion as the dominant cause of ischemia, although a contributory fistula-related steal phenomenon was not formally assessed. Following discussion among several cardiovascular experts, conservative clinical and echocardiographic surveillance was selected. This case highlights the complementary roles of coronary angiography and CCTA in defining fistula anatomy and supporting individualized management and follow-up planning.

Radiology Case ReportsVol. 21(12)
Mohamed I University (MA), Centre Hospitalo-Universitaire Mohammed VI d'Oujda (MA)
Good health and well-being
Openalex Percentile: Top 14%
Coronary Artery Anomalies
AI Navigator

Ask Laika to Summarize, Analyze, and Connect papers live on the map.

Summarize Papers & Methodologies

Extract key findings, datasets, and comparative methods across publications.

Benchmark Rankings & Visual Analytics

Rank top research institutions, authors, funders, topics, and journals by Field-Weighted Citation Impact (FWCI) and paper volume with instant charts.

Connect Distant Disciplines

Bridge topological clusters on the map to find hidden collaborative intersections.