The unstoppable heart: an aortocoronary fistula in coronary artery bypass grafting

Abstract

This case report describes a coronary bypass surgery case in which cardioplegic arrest was impossible due to an aortacoronary fistula that was visualized using 3-dimensional computer tomography (CT) angiography postoperatively. Aortacoronary fistulas are protective in coronary artery disease but can severely complicate cardiac surgery and might require CT imaging in the preoperative workup.