Unusual Case of Pulmonary Hypertension due to Acquired Arteriovenous Fistula

Abstract

Pulmonary hypertension is a disease process affecting pulmonary circulation and is defined by an increase in pulmonary artery pressure subsequently causing right ventricular failure. Vascular complications, including arteriovenous (AV) fistula, are recognized, but are uncommon complications of spinal surgery. AV fistula increases venous return to the right heart and can promote a volume overload related high-output cardiac state, pulmonary hypertension, and right heart failure. Hereby, we describe a rare pulmonary hypertension case with severe right heart failure, lower leg edema, and progressive dyspnea caused by an AV fistula between the left common iliac artery and vein as a complication of a lumbar spinal/disk surgery. Pulmonary hypertension was confirmed by hemodynamic assessments and the etiology was established by both abdominal computed tomography and conventional peripheric angiography. After closure of the AV-fistula by stent-graft implantation, the right heart failure resolved completely.